Competencies and urban Public Private Partnership projects in India: A case study analysis

Abstract In India, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for project implementation has been gaining prominence as municipalities attempt to meet a growing demand for infrastructure services. However, weak competencies within urban local bodies (ULBs) present one of the primary bottlenecks to implementing PPPs in the delivery of urban services. In this paper we attempt to understand the kinds of competencies that are prevalent within ULBs in India, competencies that are often absent, strategies that are currently used to bridge these competency gaps, and approaches that ULBs should follow in order to create a more robust environment for PPPs. In order to do so, we first describe a competency framework for implementing urban PPP projects. We then adopt a case-based research approach to analyze five urban PPP projects. The case study analysis indicates that project development competencies are supplemented through the engagement of PPP coordination agencies. However, there are larger competency gaps in the area of project governance. The outcomes of this research study contribute to a growing body of knowledge on the performance of PPPs in developing countries and suggest areas for improvement in the existing institutional frameworks for urban PPP projects.