Centre plans agency to oversee infra projects

AIMED AT CURBING DELAYS AND WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE

- BLOOMBERG

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS to set up a central transport planning authority to coordinate infrastructure projects and curb wasteful spending, according to people familiar with the matter.

The new body, which will work closely with the Prime Minister’s Office, will oversee development across aviation, highways, shipping, rail and urban planning, aligning various ministries to improve project viability and avoid delays, said the people who asked not to be identified citing rules.

The Cabinet clearance for the proposal may take three to six months, they said.

The world’s most-populous nation is spending tens of billions of dollars on an infrastructure build-out as it tries to become a developed nation by 2047.