83% of infrastructure projects delayed, cost overrun by Rs 1.9 lakh cr: Planning Commission tells PM

New Delhi, Nov 12: In a presentation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Planning Commission said that nearly 83 per cent of over 700 central sector projects have sustained cost overruns of nearly Rs two lakh crore and delays of up to 12 years.

As per an Indian Express report, in the presentation which took place on November 5, "The commission in a presentation to Modi last week said investments of Rs 5.6 lakh crore have already been made on 707 central sector projects including roads, railways, airports, ports, telecom and power sectors, but another Rs 5.7 lakh crore is required to ensure their completion. Of these 707 projects, the Railways incurred the biggest delays, with 274 of its projects missing completion targets. Of these 274 projects, 236 have no date of commissioning, including the coal evacuation projects in Jharkhand."

Railways is followed by the road sector where 118 projects are delayed. As per the daily's report, in the year 2013-14, "The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has been able to toll only 435 km of highways in 2013-14 against a target of 2,148 km. The ministry along with National Highways Authority of India has completed construction of 1,984 km out of targeted 6,300 km, according to the presentation that was made on November 5."

The delay in all such projects is attributed to sundry reasons like, delay in land acquisition, forest norms and adverse law and order situation.

Similarly, in the ports and inland waterways sector also the situation is bad as the set targets have not been achieved so far.

In the power sector and coal production, the condition remains same. The government could only achieve the target of target of 20,882 MW during the April-October period and electricity was only provided to 181 towns against 350.

As per the daily, in coal production sector, 50 MT coal import took place against target of 94 MT.

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