Development projects and programmes in various stages of implementation

In 2019, there were approximately 1,254 development projects and programmes in various stages of implementation countrywide. Of them, 386 were large and mega- scale, where the total cost of each investment was equal to or above Rs 1bn.

Approximately, 45 percent of these projects and programmes are under foreign financing while 16 are implemented through grants. Fifty-five percent are locally financed, including 16 projects which are funded by domestic banks.

Among large and mega- scale projects, the Ministry of City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education counts the highest number at 68, followed by the Ministry of Highways, Road Development and Petroleum Resources at 44.

Nevertheless, the PMM has recorded that 33 percent of large and mega- scale projects (each of which costs above Rs 1bn) have got time extensions as they were unable to complete their activities within the prescribed term. Ten projects have received extension of more than five years.

A massive 43 of these initiatives got extensions by reason of scope change. This is defined as “an official decision made by the project manager and the client to change a feature to expand or reduce its functionality.” They generally involve adjusting the cost, budget and other features or the timeline. They can impact risk and project quality.