Lok Sabha Question No. 855 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Central Sector Infrastructure Projects
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: Bhola Singh, Vinod Kumar Sonkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 855

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## CENTRAL SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

## 855.   SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

PROGRAMME

- (a) whether the Ministry monitors Central Sector Infrastructure Projects costing  upto  Rs.  150  crore  through  Online  Computerised  Monitoring System (OCMS) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the country lacks policy framework for project management which results in time and cost overrun of projects;
- (c) if so, the details of pending projects and the consequent increase in their cost;
- (d) whether the Government has fixed a five-year deadline for completing all pending projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether there is a need for setting up a project management office structure, institutionalizing a project management maturity framework and  making  project  management  training  mandatory  for  personnel deployed on large scale projects; and
- (f)  if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION, MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF  THE  MINISTRY  OF  PLANNING  AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS [RAO INDERJIT SINGH]

- (a)      The  Infrastructure  and  Project  Monitoring  Division  (IPMD)  of  the Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  is  mandated  to monitor time and cost overruns of Ongoing Central Sector Infrastructure Projects  costing  Rs.150  crore  and  above,  based  on  the  information

provided by the project implementing agencies on Online Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS).  As per latest Flash Report on Central Sector Projects (Rs 150 crore and above) for the month of December 2023, total 1820  projects  are  on  the  monitor  of  this  Ministry.  Of  these,  848  are showing time overruns, 431 are showing cost overruns and 268 projects are showing both time and cost overruns with respect to their original project implementation schedules. (b)  & (c)   The concerned nodal infrastructure ministries are responsible for preparation of policy framework and implementation of their projects accordingly. The reasons for time overruns and cost overruns are project specific and depend upon variety of technical, financial, administrative and other factors. The details of pending projects and the consequent increase in their cost are available at www.cspm.gov.in. (d) The  project-wise  revised  completion  deadlines  for  all  delayed projects are fixed on the basis of remaining scope of work and project implementation  plan  of  the  project.  The  date  of  commissioning  of  a project depends on various factors such as site condition, quantum of work, project implementation environment, etc.

(e) &  (f)  The  concerned  Ministries  /  Projects  implementing  Agencies provide for appropriate Project Managements  units as per their requirement.   Training is also provided as per need by them.

The major steps taken or being taken by the Government to restrict the cost escalation and ensure timely completion of projects are: Periodic review of projects under PRAGATI and rigorous project appraisal; On-line Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS) for better monitoring; setting up of Revised Cost Committees in the Ministries for fixing 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 concerned Chief Secretaries for removal of bottlenecks and for facilitating the speedy implementation of major projects.

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