Why in the News?

The recent collapse of under-construction bridges in Bihar highlights ongoing quality control challenges in India’s infrastructure sector, despite efforts like PM Gati Shakti and increased capital expenditure in 2024.

Issues of Quality Control and Project Implementation in Infrastructure in India 

• Quality Control Deficiencies: There are significant gaps in the quality control mechanisms for infrastructure projects. Many projects lack a robust system for monitoring and ensuring quality at every stage, from planning to execution. The absence of comprehensive quality assurance frameworks as evidenced by recent bridge collapses in Bihar.
• Need for Modern Project Management Practices: Traditional project management practices are often outdated and ineffective in addressing the complexities of modern infrastructure projects.

Internal Challenges in India’s Infrastructure Sector:

• Project Delays and Cost Overruns: Infrastructure projects frequently experience delays and cost overruns, with a report indicating that 431 projects faced a total cost overrun of ₹4.82 lakh crore.  
• Lack of Comprehensive Planning: Many infrastructure projects, especially in urban areas, suffer from poor planning and project management, with urban local bodies and local self-governments lacking the necessary capacity and expertise.
• Multiple Clearances and Bureaucratic Delays: Industrial and commercial activities often require numerous clearances, leading to delays in project conception and commissioning.
• Funding and Resource Misallocation: Delayed and poorly managed projects crowd out funding for other essential projects, burdening the government with extra expenditures and increasing procurement costs.

Need to Integrate Modern Tools and Techniques: (Way forward)

• Real-time Data Management: Traditional project management methods need an overhaul to incorporate modern tools like real-time data collection and analysis, which can help track progress and make timely interventions.
• Global Best Practices in Project Management: The government must adopt international best practices, like the UK’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority model, which emphasizes efficient project delivery.
• Program Management Approach: A holistic approach to managing multiple projects systematically, integrating resources, time, and information efficiently, as seen in successful projects like the Shendra-Bidkin industrial corridor.
• GIS-Based Platforms: Initiatives like PM Gati Shakti demonstrate the integration of GIS-based platforms for real-time monitoring, enabling better coordination among various stakeholders to meet deadlines and enhance project quality.

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