Data compiled by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation show that the government may be better off heeding the advice of economists to ensure the completion of pending central government projects by stressing on implementation rather than embarking on fresh ones. The government has committed a sum of Rs 153,496 crore on these projects till date but in terms of milestones achieved by these projects the percentage of achievement is only 9.5 per cent.
These are the 188 projects each worth over Rs 100 crore pending with the Centre. Of these, 51 are in the railways with their dates for completion not even decided. Of these, 35 are mega projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore.
While the projects are spread over all the major sectors the highest number of pending projects numbering 89 are obviously in the railways. Petroleum and power account for another 27 each with road transport accounting for another 14 and coal 12.
A sectoral analysis shows that implementation is the key for these projects. The delay in sticking to the time schedule with resultant cost overruns for the project is not because of funds. Among the 188 projects, only those in the railways are held up because of funds. In power, there is only one project which has a fund problem. For the coal ministry
