Why in news?
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has developed PAIMANA—Project Assessment, Infrastructure Monitoring & Analytics for Nation‑building—to track the progress of large infrastructure projects. As of April 2026 the portal monitored 1,981 central sector projects worth about ₹42.78 lakh crore.
Background
India invests trillions of rupees in roads, railways, power plants, irrigation, telecommunications and urban infrastructure. Many projects suffer from cost overruns and delays due to land acquisition, regulatory hurdles and coordination issues. To improve oversight, MoSPI created the Online Computerised Monitoring System (OCMS) in the 2000s. PAIMANA is the next‑generation platform that leverages advanced analytics to monitor and evaluate projects in real time.
Key features
- Comprehensive coverage: The portal tracks central sector projects costing ₹150 crore or more. As of April 2026, transport and logistics projects dominate (around 49 percent of total cost) followed by energy (27 percent), communication, water and sanitation, and social and commercial infrastructure.
- Dashboard and analytics: PAIMANA provides interactive dashboards showing each project’s schedule, cost and physical progress. It uses geospatial mapping and risk metrics to identify bottlenecks and allows decision‑makers to compare performance across ministries.
- Early warning system: By flagging schedule slippage and cost escalation, the portal enables ministries to intervene before delays become critical. This helps reduce time and cost overruns.
Benefits
Transparent project tracking improves accountability and aids planning. Investors and citizens can view aggregate information on infrastructure progress, fostering confidence. The portal also supports the Gati Shakti National Master Plan by providing cross‑sectoral data for integrated planning.
Conclusion
PAIMANA represents a significant step towards data‑driven governance. By centralising project information and applying analytics, it helps ensure that public money delivers timely, high‑quality infrastructure. Continuous updates and coordination with state governments will determine its long‑term effectiveness.