India's Infrastructure Projects Post Record Cost Overruns of Rs 5.65 Lakh Crore in April Data

Infrastructure Projects in India Experience Cost Overrun of Rs 5.65 Lakh Crore

A recent government report has revealed that infrastructure projects worth above Rs 150 crore each have registered a cumulative cost overrun of Rs 5.65 lakh crore. The 'Flash Report on Central Sector Infrastructure Projects' for April showed that the revised cost of all 1,981 projects, each valued at Rs 150 crore or higher, monitored by the statistics ministry, stood at Rs 42,78,402 crore compared to their original cost of Rs 37,12,662 crore.

Cumulative Expenditure and Progress

As of April 2026, the cumulative expenditure incurred on these projects stands at Rs 20.36 lakh crore, accounting for approximately 47.59 per cent of the revised project cost. This indicates steady progress in project implementation, with a significant proportion of projects at advanced stages. 801 projects (40 per cent) have achieved over 80 per cent physical progress, while 277 (14 per cent) have crossed 80 per cent financial completion.

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Sector-Wise Breakdown

The Transport & Logistics sector accounts for the highest number of ongoing projects (1,459 projects), with revised estimates of Rs 23.34 lakh crore. This underscores priority to connectivity-driven infrastructure growth. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways accounts for the highest number of projects, with 1,137 projects (57 per cent), and also commands the largest share of total revised project cost of Rs 10.81 lakh crore (25 per cent).

Key Findings

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Physical and financial progress broadly move in tandem, with a large number of projects clustered at the initial (0–20 per cent) and advanced (81–100 per cent) stages. The energy sector follows with 27 per cent of aggregated revised cost (Rs 11.30 lakh crore) across 221 projects, reflecting sustained emphasis on oil and gas infrastructure, electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks, and energy storage systems.