449 infra projects’ cost overruns total Rs 4 lakh cr

23 Mar 2021 CW Team

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) monitors infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above. Out of the 1,736 such projects, 449 reported cost overruns and 547 were delayed.

According to the ministry's report from February, the total original cost of implementation of the 1,736 projects was Rs 2,232,019.72 crore and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be Rs 2,661,205.74 crore. The cost overrun for completing these 449 projects works out to be Rs 429,186.02 crore.

The expenditure incurred on these projects till February 2021 is Rs 1,278,270.71 crore, which is 48.03% of the anticipated cost of the projects.

However, the report states that the number of delayed projects decreases to 409 if the delay is calculated based on the latest completion schedule.

Further, for 930 projects neither the year of commissioning nor the tentative gestation period has been reported. Out of 547 delayed projects, 109 projects have overall delay in the range of 1-12 months, 132 projects have a delay of 13-24 months, 187 projects reflect delay in the range of 25-60 months and 119 projects show delays of 61 months and above. The average time overrun in these 547 delayed projects is 44.59 months.

Reasons for time overruns as reported by various project implementing agencies include delay in land acquisition, delay in obtaining forest and environment clearances, and lack of infrastructure support and linkages.

Delay in tie-up for project financing, delay in finalisation of detailed engineering, change in scope, delay in tendering, ordering and equipment supply, and law and order problems, among others, are the other reasons, the report said.

The report also cited state-wise lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason for the delay in implementation of these projects.

It has also been noted that project agencies are not reporting revised cost estimates and commissioning schedules for many projects, which suggests that time and cost overrun figures are underreported, the ministry stated in its report.

Image Source

Also read: Over 400 Mumbai infra projects hit by cost and time overruns

Also read: Infra projects show huge cost overruns

According to a report by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), as many as 449 infrastructure projects, each worth Rs 150 crore or more, have been hit by cost overruns totalling more than Rs 4.29 lakh crore (Rs 4.29 trillion). The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) monitors infrastructure projects worth Rs 150 crore and above. Out of the 1,736 such projects, 449 reported cost overruns and 547 were delayed. According to the ministry's report from February, the total original cost of implementation of the 1,736 projects was Rs 2,232,019.72 crore and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be Rs 2,661,205.74 crore. The cost overrun for completing these 449 projects works out to be Rs 429,186.02 crore. The expenditure incurred on these projects till February 2021 is Rs 1,278,270.71 crore, which is 48.03% of the anticipated cost of the projects. However, the report states that the number of delayed projects decreases to 409 if the delay is calculated based on the latest completion schedule. Further, for 930 projects neither the year of commissioning nor the tentative gestation period has been reported. Out of 547 delayed projects, 109 projects have overall delay in the range of 1-12 months, 132 projects have a delay of 13-24 months, 187 projects reflect delay in the range of 25-60 months and 119 projects show delays of 61 months and above. The average time overrun in these 547 delayed projects is 44.59 months. Reasons for time overruns as reported by various project implementing agencies include delay in land acquisition, delay in obtaining forest and environment clearances, and lack of infrastructure support and linkages. Delay in tie-up for project financing, delay in finalisation of detailed engineering, change in scope, delay in tendering, ordering and equipment supply, and law and order problems, among others, are the other reasons, the report said. The report also cited state-wise lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic as a reason for the delay in implementation of these projects. It has also been noted that project agencies are not reporting revised cost estimates and commissioning schedules for many projects, which suggests that time and cost overrun figures are underreported, the ministry stated in its report. Image Source Also read: Over 400 Mumbai infra projects hit by cost and time overruns Also read: Infra projects show huge cost overruns

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..