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The Uttar Pradesh state's planning department has introduced an SOP for all government projects exceeding INR 50 crore under the EPC mode to enhance quality and durability. Independent auditors and civil engineers will evaluate raw materials and structural integrity. Departments must allocate 0.5% of the project budget for third-party audits. Quarterly technical reviews will be conducted at key construction stages. The PWD's 2023 guidelines will aid implementation. Final-stage checks will ensure proper drainage, waterproofing, and firefighting systems. Officials believe early independent assessments will improve project outcomes, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and uphold high construction standards for state infrastructure projects.
The state's planning department has introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) that must be followed by all government departments and agencies undertaking projects valued at over INR 50 crore under the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode. This initiative aims to ensure higher durability and better quality of infrastructure projects, with a structured approach to monitoring and evaluation. Advertisement
Under the new SOP, EPC projects are expected to have an extended lifespan due to stringent quality checks. To achieve this, independent auditors and civil engineers with specialised expertise in assessing the structural durability of raw materials and overall construction will be assigned to evaluate project quality. These professionals will play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with the prescribed construction standards.
As part of the detailed project report (DPR) finalisation process, all concerned departments are required to allocate 0.5% of the sanctioned project budget (excluding taxes) to cover the expenses of third-party audit firms. Officials believe that independent reviews from the project's early stages will contribute to improved outcomes, enhance structural integrity, and ultimately reduce long-term maintenance costs.
The SOP mandates that comprehensive technical audits must be conducted quarterly or at key stages of construction, such as during plinth preparation, slab casting, and other critical phases. Departments have been instructed to engage civil engineering experts from government institutes in the region or consider other available options to ensure high standards of assessment.
For better clarity and implementation, the principal secretary of the planning department, Alok Kumar, has circulated the guidelines drafted by the building cell of the Public Works Department (PWD) in March 2023. The PWD has already been employing third-party auditors for its projects, and now all department heads are required to systematically assess the progress of projects at different phases, including plinth level, slab casting, intermediate construction stages, and finishing work.
An official highlighted the importance of quality assessment towards the final stages of project completion, stating that it is crucial to verify whether essential infrastructure components-such as drainage systems, rainwater harvesting mechanisms, waterproofing of roofs and external walls, firefighting systems, and electrical cabling-have been implemented as per the contract terms. By incorporating these rigorous evaluation measures, the government aims to ensure that large-scale projects meet high durability and safety standards, thereby improving overall infrastructure development in the state.
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