Latest news with #DPRs
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary directs APGENCO to fast-track power projects, improve efficiency
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand has directed APGENCO to enhance operational efficiency, fast-track project implementation, and strengthen financial management to meet the State's growing energy demands. Chairing a high-level review meeting at Vidyut Soudha on Monday, Mr. Vijayanand emphasised close monitoring of thermal and hydel generation, maintaining adequate coal stocks, and resolving financial dues without delay. The Chief Secretary noted a 10% increase in thermal power generation by APGENCO and APPDCL in FY25, reaching 35,547 million units (MU), while hydel output registered a sharp 95% rise. While appreciating the improved performance, he underscored the importance of sustaining this momentum through systematic maintenance and benchmarking practices. Key projects under review included NTTPS Stage V (800 MW), RTPP Stage IV (600 MW), and SDSTPS Stage I (2x800 MW). He flagged procurement delays and manpower deployment gaps for immediate resolution. Progress of major hydel projects such as Polavaram (960 MW) and proposed pumped storage schemes was also assessed. The Chief Secretary instructed APGENCO to expedite preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), land acquisition, and statutory clearances to avoid future bottlenecks. Addressing financial challenges, Mr. Vijayanand directed finance teams to prioritise clearing dues and improving cash flow. He called for weekly monitoring, better inter-departmental coordination, and a result-oriented approach to ensure long-term energy self-sufficiency for the State.
New Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Odisha HC raps govt over Cuttack drain project, questions pvt firm's role
CUTTACK: In a scathing order, the Orissa High Court has pulled up the Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) department over serious lapses in the preparation and handling of detailed project reports (DPRs) for construction of five major storm water drains in Cuttack under the branch surface water channel (BSWC) project, worth over `335 crore. The division bench of Justices SK Sahoo and V Narasingh expressed concern over 'startling' discrepancies in the DPRs submitted by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). The court observed that the DPRs lacked official authentication and no names of the officials involved in their preparation were mentioned, which is a significant deviation from standard procedure. The court said more disturbingly, during a review meeting on April 30, 2025, the city engineer of CMC was represented by a private consultancy firm based in Bhubaneswar, raising questions over its authority and role. 'There is nothing on record to indicate how the private company could represent a government official,' the bench remarked.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC questions irregularities in preparing DPRs of Cuttack drain project
1 2 Cuttack: Orissa high court has taken serious note of irregularities in the preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) related to the Rs 335.42 crore branch surface water channel (BSWC) drain project in Cuttack. A division bench of Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh, while hearing the matter on July 11, came down heavily on the housing and urban development department and noted with concern that the DPRs submitted by Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) were neither authenticated nor bore the names of officials involved in their preparation. The court termed the lapses as "startling". The bench also questioned how a Bhubaneswar-based private consultancy firm came to represent the city engineer (CMC) during a crucial meeting held on April 30. "There is nothing on record to indicate how the private company could represent a govt official," the court observed. "The lackadaisical manner in which the entire project is being handled is tell-tale," the bench remarked and directed the secretary of the department to file an affidavit by July 21, clarifying the appointment of the firm, reasons for overlooking IIT Bhubaneswar, and whether any departmental or vigilance inquiry is being initiated into the handling of the project. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The engineer has also been directed to submit a separate affidavit detailing the basis for involving the firm and referring the DPRs to Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla. The matter pertains to the proposed construction of five BSWC drains in the city. Despite a decision taken in Dec 2023 to consult IIT Bhubaneswar for an expert review of the DPRs, the documents were sent instead to VSSUT. The shift was based on a communication dated June 17 this year from the firm. "It does not stand to reason how the govt's direction to consult IIT Bhubaneswar, keeping in mind the hydraulic analysis required, was ignored," the bench stated. When questioned by the court, the engineer assured the revised DPRs would be submitted by July 25. However, the judges noted the absence of any explanation as to why the firm was involved and why the IIT's expertise was bypassed.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New norms: Highways ministry to give DPR work based on firms' ratings, maximum bank guarantee
Representational Image NEW DELHI: The road transport and highways ministry will now give higher scores to project consultancy firms, who have better ratings based on their previous works, and submit the maximum bank guarantee (BG) as it does away with the age-old norm of lowest price (L1) bid for preparing the detailed project reports (DPRs). As per the new proposed norm, bidders will be assessed on three parameters — 30 marks for technical competence, 30 marks for DPR rating and 40 marks for BG quote. Sources said by submitting higher BG, players will take the risk of losing some of it for non-performance. 'So, only those serious players who are confident of completing the task in time will bid. So far, we have faced the problem of plenty. Now, we need to get the best bidder to carry out the tasks,' said a senior ministry official. A DPR is a comprehensive blueprint for any project, outlining all technical, financial and logistics details necessary for its execution. For decades, highway owning agencies had been following the 'Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS)' with an 80:20 ratio — technical proposals evaluated with 80% weightage and and financial bids evaluated with 20% — to bid out consultancy works. Last Sept, NHAI started bidding out consultancy works by setting a fixed cost for the project, and companies having the best technical competence bagged the works. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gentle Japanese hair growth method for men and women's scalp Hair's Rich Learn More Undo The ministry has now bettered this process by adding scores for ratings for consultancy firms and quantum of BG. For rating of consultancy firms, the ministry has said this will be done for projects where 180 days have elapsed after the appointed date; for projects wherein provisional completion or completion has been issued; and for four-six lane projects longer than 10 km and two-lane projects longer than 25 km. The ministry said this will help in assessment of actual performance of DPR firms in objective terms and help identify performers and non-performers. Rating exercise shall be done twice in a year. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Road Ministry Introduces Rating System for Consultancy Firms: Improving DPR Quality, ET Infra
Advt By , ETInfra The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to implement a new rating system for consultancy firms responsible for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for road move comes as the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari , recently voiced strong disappointment over the subpar quality of ministry has issued an office memorandum inviting public comments on the proposed concept note for this new rating system. A DPR serves as a comprehensive blueprint for any road construction project, detailing all necessary technical, financial, and logistical aspects for its successful a separate office memorandum, MoRTH also sought public feedback on proposed amendments to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for appointing consultancy services specifically for the preparation of DPRs for national highways and centrally sponsored road dual approach by the ministry underscores a concerted effort to enhance accountability and improve the overall standard of project planning in India's critical road infrastructure sector.
