Cost overruns totaling more than Rs 4.31 lakh crore were reported in October of this year for as many as 411 infrastructure projects, each requiring an expenditure of at least Rs 150 crore, according to an official report.

Based on data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, which oversees infrastructure projects valued at at least Rs 150 crore, 411 of the 1,788 projects had cost overruns, and 837 had delays.

"Total original cost of implementation of the 1,788 projects was Rs 24,78,446.60 crore, and their anticipated completion cost is likely to be Rs 29,09,526.63 crore, which reflects overall cost overruns of Rs 4,31,080.03 crore (17.39 per cent of original cost)," the ministry's latest report for October 2023 said.

According to the report, the expenditure incurred on these projects till October 2023 was Rs 15,27,102.91 crore, which is 52.49 per cent of the anticipated cost of the projects.