The Defence Minister has released the ‘Guide on Preparation of Detailed Project Reports for Road Infrastructure Projects’, prepared by the Border Roads Organisation, at South Block, New Delhi. 

The guide is a significant step towards improving the quality, speed and cost-efficiency of road construction in India’s border and remote regions.

What is the guide about?

• The manual provides a uniform and comprehensive framework for preparing Detailed Project Reports, which are the backbone of infrastructure projects.
• It covers engineering design, construction methodology, execution strategy, quality control, cost estimation and risk assessment.
• The guide is meant to support engineers during new road construction as well as upgradation of existing roads, especially in difficult terrains.

Why is it important?

• Poorly prepared Detailed Project Reports are a major cause of time delays and cost overruns in infrastructure projects.
• By standardising procedures and technical benchmarks, the guide aims to ensure technical accuracy, better planning and financial discipline.
• Improved Detailed Project Reports will help in timely execution of projects, which is crucial for strategic connectivity and national security.

Relevance for border areas

• The Border Roads Organisation works in high-altitude, remote and strategically sensitive areas, including border states and the Himalayan region.
• Better road infrastructure directly supports defence preparedness, logistics, and rapid troop mobility, while also boosting socio-economic development in border regions.
• The initiative complements the government’s recent dedication of 125 strategically important infrastructure projects completed by the Border Roads Organisation.

Exam Hook – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Border Roads Organisation manual:

1. The guide aims to standardise the preparation of Detailed Project Reports for road projects.
2. It seeks to reduce project delays and cost overruns through better planning and quality control.
3. The Border Roads Organisation works only under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct answer: (a)

One-line wrap:
The new Border Roads Organisation guide strengthens India’s border infrastructure by fixing planning gaps at the project design stage itself.

SOURCE