'Proper project management prevents cost, time overruns'

Mega UP projects face cost overrun spiral.

The Uttar Pradesh government last week stressed proper project management, especially for projects of mega budget scale, to avoid cost and time overruns.

Several mega projects in Uttar Pradesh, both underway and proposed, including Ganga Expressway and Yamuna Expressway, have witnessed initial budgets spiral apparently due to lack of proper project management and planning.

“Yamuna Expressway Project was estimated at Rs 3,000 crore, when it was first conceptualised in 2002. However, the project has not yet been completed due to unavoidable circumstances, while the cost has touched almost Rs 10,000 crore,” State Principal Secretary, infrastructure and industrial development V N Garg said.

He added, in the context of globalisation, project management was co-terminus with optimum utilisation of natural resources and all stakeholders needed to be addressed when launching projects of a mega nature.

Garg was addressing a workshop on ‘Project Management for All’ organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and supported by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Project Management Institute.

He said the state government had put industrialisation on top priority and special emphasis was being given for proper management of all the projects.

“The government has directed officials for time-bound completion of the projects underway,” he said adding, there was need to create widespread awareness about project management and Uttar Pradesh was making all efforts to sensitise officials in this regard.

Garg mentioned, Uttar Pradesh industries department had instituted Udyog Bandhu as an interface between industry/entrepreneurs and the government. Garg is also the executive director of Udyog Bandhu.

The workshop was attended by industry leaders, including government officials, entrepreneurs, businessmen, academia and bankers. It was stressed that project management was the science and art of sequencing, planning, design, execution and monitoring to ensure lucid final delivery.