In a concerning trend for India’s infrastructure sector, central government projects experienced a significant surge in cost overruns, reaching a 12-month high in April.
According to government data released on Tuesday, the ratio of cost overruns soared to 20.09%, marking a notable increase from 18.65% recorded in the previous month. The data revealed that out of 1,838 projects with a minimum investment of ₹150 crore, the anticipated cost ballooned to ₹33.2 lakh crore, representing a staggering ₹5.6 lakh crore more than the original estimate. Additionally, the proportion of delayed projects also witnessed an uptick compared to preceding months, indicating widespread challenges in project execution.
Experts attribute the current slowdown in infrastructure activity to the disruptions caused by the general election, which often leads to delays and cost escalations across various projects. Amidst this backdrop, a significant 43% of projects, totaling 792, missed their original completion deadlines, while 514 projects incurred cost overruns. Despite ongoing challenges, a total of 61 projects managed to reach completion in April, with an associated cost of ₹46,649.7 crore. Furthermore, 29 projects were initiated during the same period, collectively amounting to ₹1.3 lakh crore. However, the average time for project completion experienced a slight dip to 35.4 months, down from 36.04 months recorded in March.
The concerning trend of escalating costs and project delays underscores the urgent need for effective project management strategies and streamlined regulatory processes. Addressing the underlying factors contributing to these challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles, regulatory bottlenecks, and funding constraints, is imperative to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of critical infrastructure projects. As India seeks to accelerate its economic growth trajectory and bolster its infrastructure backbone, policymakers and industry stakeholders must collaborate to implement measures aimed at enhancing project efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Only through concerted efforts and proactive interventions can the nation overcome the prevailing obstacles and achieve sustainable infrastructure development in line with its ambitious growth aspirations.
