August 11, 2025: At a workshop in Pune on infrastructure project execution, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis acknowledged that while the state leads in the number of projects undertaken, a significant portion remain incomplete.
Citing an earlier Deutsche Bank report, he recalled that Maharashtra once accounted for nearly half of India’s overall projects—an achievement that was widely lauded at the time. However, he noted that around 40% of these projects are still unfinished, underscoring the urgency of ensuring timely delivery.
Fadnavis identified flawed tendering procedures as a major cause of delays and underperformance. He emphasised that the capacity and competence of contractors must be thoroughly assessed before awarding contracts. In some cases, he said, tenders have been issued or conditions framed under political or other pressures, leading to poor execution or stalled works. The Mumbai–Goa Highway, he pointed out, was a prime example of a project adversely affected by inadequate tendering.
Over the past decade, Fadnavis observed, Maharashtra has developed considerable expertise in executing large-scale infrastructure projects once thought feasible only abroad. Yet, he stressed that greater accountability is required at every stage of the project lifecycle, from initial planning through to completion.
He urged a stronger focus on the planning phase, advocating for a comprehensive approach that integrates all aspects of execution. While tools such as the Gati Shakti platform are available to facilitate progress, he said that effective inter-departmental coordination remains critical.
Fadnavis’s call for a “360-degree approach” centred on coordination, robust planning, and accountability aims to ensure that future infrastructure projects move smoothly from design to delivery, avoiding the setbacks that have hampered earlier ventures.
Source: Prop Tim News
