India's Infrastructure Spending Reaches Rs 17.73 Lakh Crore
New Delhi: Central government infrastructure spending has reached Rs 17.73 lakh crore, according to an official statement issued on Monday. The figure relates to 1,853 ongoing projects with a latest estimated cost of Rs 37.56 lakh crore, monitored across 17 ministries and departments up to September 2026.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation said the expenditure represents about 47.21 per cent of the total project cost. The ministry termed this a sign of consistent progress on infrastructure execution.
Nearly one-third of projects advancing rapidly
The data shows that many projects have entered their final phases. Physical progress above 80 per cent has been reported for 654 projects, or 35 per cent of the portfolio. Financial completion above 80 per cent has been achieved in 338 projects, or 18 per cent.
Mega projects versus major projects
The portfolio includes 780 mega projects, each costing Rs 1,000 crore or more. The balance of 1,073 major projects costs less than Rs 1,000 crore individually.
Transport and logistics is the biggest sector
With 1,320 projects valued at Rs 20.07 lakh crore, transport and logistics is the largest segment. The statement said this reflects the strong emphasis on connectivity-based infrastructure growth.
Roads and railways lead the way
The road transport and highways ministry runs 974 projects, or 53 per cent of the total, with a revised cost of Rs 9.46 lakh crore, which is 25 per cent of the overall cost. The railways ministry follows with 284 projects, or 15 per cent, valued at Rs 7.21 lakh crore, or 19 per cent of the total.
Smaller but significant portfolios
The coal ministry has 121 projects, or 6 per cent, with a revised cost of Rs 2.22 lakh crore, also 6 per cent of the total. Petroleum and natural gas has 115 projects costing Rs 4.30 lakh crore, power has 106 projects costing Rs 6.40 lakh crore, housing and urban affairs has 49 projects costing Rs 3.41 lakh crore, and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation has 35 projects costing Rs 1.95 lakh crore.
The remaining 169 projects, or 9 per cent, belong to various other ministries and departments and carry a total cost of Rs 2.62 lakh crore, which is 7 per cent of the overall project cost.