Business · Economy · 7 hrs ago
Centre flags land and clearance delays in national infrastructure projects
The Centre has flagged major delays in national infrastructure projects to states ahead of a conference of chief secretaries in India.
The projects are linear infrastructure, and four pre-construction hurdles cause 75% of delays: land acquisition, green clearances, utility shifting and state permissions.
A review of more than 3,300 projects found land acquisition was the biggest issue, accounting for 35% of reported problems.
Delays have added ₹3 lakh crore to costs, taking the total from an original ₹31 lakh crore.
Clearances and utility work can take far longer than expected, while developers may need approvals from 22 permits across 16 state agencies.
The chief secretaries’ conference will discuss ways to speed up projects, including a single process for land and clearances, firm timelines for utility shifting and a clear state-level point of responsibility.
The Centre has warned states that delays in land acquisition, environmental clearances, utility shifting and state permissions are slowing national linear infrastructure projects and increasing costs.
A PRAGATI-based analysis found that these four pre-construction factors account for 75% of delays.
The review of more than 3,300 infrastructure projects worth ₹85 lakh crore found that land acquisition accounted for 35% of reported issues.
Costs for central linear projects have risen by ₹3 lakh crore from their original total of ₹31 lakh crore.
The Centre proposed a time-bound, portal-based process for land acquisition and clearances, along with clearer responsibility for utility shifting and state permissions.
- Who
- The Centre shared its concerns with states.
- What
- Delays in land acquisition, clearances, utility shifting and state permissions are slowing national linear infrastructure projects and raising costs.
- When
- The concerns were shared last month, ahead of the Sixth National Conference of Chief Secretaries. The article was published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Pre-construction delays are affecting project timelines and causing cost overruns.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Delay share
- Four pre-construction factors account for 75% of delays
- Review scope
- More than 3,300 projects worth ₹85 lakh crore
- Land acquisition
- Accounted for 35% of issues in the review
- Cost increase
- ₹3 lakh crore above the original ₹31 lakh crore total
- Utility shifting
- Takes an average of 500–600 days, against an expected 200–300 days
- Clearance timeframe
- Forest clearances take over 500 days, against a stated target of 150 days