PRAGATI Push: PM Modi Calls For Speedy Infrastructure Projects Execution, Flags Delays

Last Updated:June 27, 2025, 10:38 IST

At a meeting, the PM underscored that delays in projects come at the cost of escalating financial outlays & denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure.

In an earlier meeting on May 28, the PM had reiterated that delay in execution of projects not only increases costs but also deprives citizens of essential services. (Image: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly voicing his concern over delay in execution of infrastructure projects, underlining this at the monthly review meetings of the PRAGATI mechanism where he meets senior central and state government officials.

In one such meeting on Wednesday, the PM underscored that delays in project execution come at the dual cost of escalating financial outlays and denying citizens timely access to essential services and infrastructure. “He urged officials, both at the Central and State levels, to adopt a results-driven approach to translate opportunity into improving lives," said a statement issued post the meeting.

In an earlier meeting on May 28, the PM had reiterated that delay in execution of projects not only increases costs but also deprives citizens of essential services and infrastructure, as per the minutes of that meeting. “It was urged all stakeholders to prioritise efficiency and accountability, stressing that timely delivery is critical to maximizing socio-economic outcomes," the minutes noted.

In one such meeting last year, the PM had said: “Every official in the government, at Central or State level, must be sensitised that delay in projects leads to cost escalation and also deprives the public of the intended benefits of the project."

In a Parliament answer last year, the government said that from amongst 952 projects, including National Highways (NHs) projects, costing more than Rs 150 crore which were under construction in March 2024, 419 projects spilled beyond their original completion schedule, missing one or the other of the various stages of project completion up to March 2024.

The government then also clarified that financial implication does not arise in every delayed project. “If delay is not attributable to the Contractor, price escalation is paid as per contract conditions, which may or may not result in additional cost, depending upon final value of price escalation determined on actual completion of project. If delay is attributable to the Contractor, damages are imposed and there is no additional cost due to delay. The Government is taking all necessary steps for timely completion of such delayed projects," the government said in its parliament reply.

Aman Sharma

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....Read More

Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Minister’s Office....

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