Gadkari Pushes for Quality-Driven Road Designs, Announces ₹1,000 Crore for Odisha

Union Minister Urges Engineers to Prioritise Safety, Strong DPRs; Odisha Seeks Greater National Highway Focus

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari called for a fundamental shift in India’s approach to road construction, stressing that quality, safety, and expert-led design must take precedence over low-cost tendering practices. Speaking at the inauguration of the 84th Indian Roads Congress (IRC) in Bhubaneswar, the minister said engineers must focus on producing future-ready Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) rather than allowing cost considerations to dictate design standards.

Gadkari also announced a ₹1,000 crore allocation to Odisha from the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and revealed that hydrogen-powered vehicles will soon be piloted in several states, including Odisha, as part of India’s transition to green mobility.

Highlighting flaws in the existing system, Gadkari criticised the widespread practice of awarding DPR preparation work to the lowest bidder, which often compromises quality.
“When people need heart surgeries, do they float a tender and go to the cheapest doctor?” he asked, calling for a complete revamp of tendering norms.

He noted that poorly prepared DPRs lead to engineering defects, construction delays, and ultimately, fatal consequences on Indian roads. “Perfect DPRs will also help curb road fatalities,” he said.

India records nearly 1.8 lakh road accident deaths every year, a statistic Gadkari described as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.” He urged engineers to adopt a sensitive, user-first approach to road design.
“Identify black spots, fix them, improve road geometry. Every decision must be centred on saving lives,” he emphasised.

The minister argued that engineering innovation must accompany enforcement and awareness initiatives to bring down the high fatality rate. He said highway curves, junctions, signage, and lane discipline must reflect global best practices.

With the IRC completing nearly 90 years of service, Gadkari encouraged the organisation to evolve into a full-fledged professional body aligned with international standards.
“The government will support such a transformation. Fast-track decision-making is crucial if India wants to become an economic powerhouse,” he said.

He urged the IRC to adopt new materials, technologies, and modern engineering techniques to accelerate road development and ensure better durability.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also addressed the gathering, said Odisha has witnessed accelerated growth in road and transport infrastructure since 2014 but still requires significant national support.
He said the state has set an ambitious target of laying 75,000 km of new roads over the next five years.

Majhi pointed out that Odisha’s National Highway (NH) density remains below the national average, and requested the Union Minister to prioritise pending highway projects in line with the state’s long-term vision, Vikasita Odisha @ 2036.

He expressed gratitude to Gadkari for approving road projects worth ₹13,069 crore for the 2025–26 fiscal year.

Responding to the state’s request, Gadkari asked the Odisha government to accelerate land acquisition and environmental clearances.
“Projects worth ₹11,000 crore are held up due to pending statutory approvals,” he said, urging coordinated action to fast-track these proposals.

The minister stressed that timely clearances are essential for maintaining construction momentum and avoiding cost escalation.

Gadkari’s announcement of a hydrogen-powered vehicle pilot in states including Odisha marks a significant step toward cleaner mobility. The initiative is part of India’s long-term strategy to reduce emissions and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy-based transport.

He reiterated that future infrastructure must be designed to accommodate such technological shifts, including alternative fuel corridors, upgraded logistics networks, and improved multimodal connectivity.

Works Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, IRC President Prof Manoranjan Parida, Principal Secretary (Works) Sanjay Kumar Singh, and IRC General Secretary Rahul Gupta also addressed the gathering. Organising Secretary Manas Ranjan Behera outlined Odisha’s ongoing initiatives in road development.

Gadkari’s remarks set the tone for a renewed emphasis on engineering excellence at a time when India is investing heavily in highways, expressways, and logistics corridors. By calling for quality-driven DPRs, better safety systems, and faster decision-making, the Union Minister laid out a blueprint for transforming India’s road network into a safer and more efficient ecosystem.

The event also highlighted Odisha’s aspirations to strengthen its transport infrastructure and position itself as a key contributor to India’s economic growth.