Analysis of Critical Causes of Delays in Indian Infrastructure Projects

Due to the inherent risks and increasing complexity of modern construction projects, delays and cost overruns have become common facts in the industry. Researchers and practitioners have used many techniques to assess project delays and apportion delay responsibility among the parties involved. This paper deals with the causes which critically effect in delay of infrastructure projects in India. The delays and cost overruns have become a hallmark of infrastructure projects in India. Recently commissioned, Bandra-worli sea link amply demonstrates the state of project delivery system in the country. It was planned as a Rs300 crore project to be completed by 2004, has actually cost Rs1600 crores with the delay of five years. A survey with different construction companies in India is done to find out the critical reasons which are mainly affecting in the delay of the construction projects in India.
With the help of the literature reviews and a discussion with various construction parties 73 causes of delay are found which are mainly affecting the industry. The identified causes are combined into nine groups. The field of survey included 20 cotractors, 1 consultant, and 1 owner. Data collected were analyzed by frequency, severity and importance indices. The members of survey were from the various construction industries of India. The names were listed in the paper.