Question : MONITORING OF CENTRAL PROJECTS

(a) the number of Central projects including infrastructure projects being monitored by the Ministry along with the allocation of funds for such projects in the country, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has chalked out the completion schedule of these projects and if so, the details and the status thereof;

(c) whether several projects in various States are running behind the schedule resulting into cost/time-overruns;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(e) the monitoring mechanism put in place by the Government to avoid the cost/time-overrun of these projects?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) to (e): Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation monitors the on-going Central Sector Infrastructure Projects costing Rs. 150 crore and above on time and cost overruns, after the projects are approved by the competent authority.

As on 1st May 2014, 727 on-going Central Sector Projects were on the monitor of this Ministry. 282 projects were delayed as against their original dates of commissioning. Details of these projects are at Annexure.
As reported by the project implementing agencies, the main reasons for delay in implementation are law and order problems, delay in land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement problems, fund constraints, delay in forest and environment clearances, right of way/right of use issues, delay in supply of material, contractual issues, etc.

Major steps undertaken to ensure timely completion of Central Sector Infrastructure Projects include rigorous project appraisal; On-line Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS) for regular integrated monitoring; setting up of Standing Committees in the Ministries for fixation of responsibility for time and cost overruns; regular review of infrastructure projects by the concerned administrative Ministries; and setting up of Central Sector Projects Coordination Committees (CSPCCs) in the States under the Chief Secretaries for removal of bottlenecks and for facilitating the speedy implementation of major projects.