NICMAR Highlights Need for Skilled Project Management Talent Amid India’s Infrastructure Expansion
Mumbai: As India continues to accelerate infrastructure development through major public investment programmes, the need for specialised project management professionals has become increasingly important, according to the National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR).
India’s infrastructure expansion is being supported by annual capital expenditure of around ₹11 lakh crore, along with initiatives such as PM Gati Shakti and the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP).
Despite record investment, project execution continues to face significant challenges. According to the latest project monitoring report released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), infrastructure projects valued at ₹150 crore and above have accumulated ₹5.6 lakh crore in cost overruns. The revised cost of 1,981 monitored projects has increased to ₹42.8 lakh crore.
The report highlights the continuing need for stronger project planning, coordination and execution across large infrastructure projects.
NICMAR noted that modern infrastructure projects require professionals with expertise extending beyond engineering and construction. Areas such as contract management, procurement, infrastructure finance, stakeholder engagement, sustainability, regulatory compliance and multidisciplinary project coordination have become increasingly important for successful project delivery.
The institution also pointed to the growing adoption of technologies including Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, artificial intelligence, predictive analytics and digital project management platforms, which are changing the way infrastructure projects are planned, monitored and executed.
In addition to conventional construction, India’s infrastructure sector is expanding into renewable energy, urban infrastructure, logistics, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure, creating demand for professionals with specialised management capabilities.
According to NICMAR, management education that combines project management, construction technology, infrastructure finance, contract management, sustainability and digital technologies can help prepare professionals to manage complex infrastructure projects throughout their lifecycle.
For more than four decades, NICMAR has focused on training professionals for the construction, real estate, infrastructure and project management sectors through industry-oriented academic programmes and practical learning.
Commenting on the sector’s evolving requirements, Dr. Tapash Kumar Ganguli, Director General of NICMAR, said India’s infrastructure ambitions now extend beyond creating physical assets and require professionals capable of integrating technology, managing stakeholders, mitigating risks and leading multidisciplinary teams. He added that specialised management education will play an important role in improving project execution and supporting the country’s long-term infrastructure development.
