India infrastructure projects face Rs 2.88 lakh crore cost overrun

The Indian government is monitoring 1,731 major infrastructure projects with a combined revised investment of Rs 33.60 lakh crore. According to a report from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), these projects across 17 central ministries have experienced a cumulative cost overrun of approximately Rs 2.88 lakh crore, rising from an original estimated cost of Rs 30.72 lakh crore.

Transport and logistics represent the largest share of the portfolio, accounting for 69 per cent of the projects and 48 per cent of the total revised costs. Within this sector, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways manages 982 projects. Other significant sectors include energy, with 223 projects, railways, and coal.

The government utilizes an infrastructure monitoring framework to track progress and address implementation bottlenecks such as land acquisition, financing, and environmental clearances. As of the August report, 647 projects have achieved over 80 per cent physical progress, while 312 projects have exceeded 80 per cent financial completion.