AMRUT ACTION PLANS, (2015-16 – 2019-20)
In a bid to boost Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) Action Plans (2015-16 – 2019-20), an investment of Rs. 495.11 crore in water supply, sewerage networks and septage management, urban transport, storm water drains and provision of green spaces in 13 cities in 6 states has been sanctioned by the Ministry of urban Development for the financial year 2015-16.
The declared six States for which the funds are approved are: Assam, Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya, Punducherry and Tripura. A major aid of Rs. 425 crore will be catered by the Central Government of the total project cost of Rs. 495.11 crore.
Showing its commitment to implement AMRUT successfully, the Central Government has announced that it will contribute 100% of the project cost in respect of Punducherry, 90% for North- Eastern States and J&K and 50% of the cost in case of Goa.
Till date Under AMRUT Action Plan (2015-16), the Ministry of Urban Development has already sanctioned, including these new approvals, a total investment of Rs. 20,491 crore for 438 identified cities in 26 States and Union Territories.
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AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation):
On 29 April, 2015 in a determined attempt to reform the urban landscape of the nation to ‘mould’ urban areas more livable and inclusive besides driving the economic growth, the Union Cabinet presided by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, sanctioned Government spending of about one Lakh crore on urban development under two new urban missions over the next five financial years (2015-16 – 2019-20).
The Cabinet had sanctioned an outlay of Rs. 48,000 crore for the Smart Cities Mission (SCM) and an outlay of Rs. 50,000 crore for AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Action Plans for 500 cities.
Major Features of AMRUT
Each selected city under the Smart City Mission would be provided a central assistance of Rs. 100 crore per year for the next five financial years. These cities are to be selected through a City ‘Challenge Competition’ that is designed to connect financing with the ability of the cities to perform to accomplish the mission objectives.
Each state has been granted the power to shortlist a certain number of smart city aspirants according to the norms to be provided and they have to prepare smart city proposals for further evaluation for extending Central Government Support.
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The Mission of building 100 smart cities aims to promote choice of smart solutions for effective use of available assets, infrastructure and resources with the intention of increasing the quality of urban life and catering a clean and sustainable environment. The priority of this Mission is on core infrastructure services like: Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, Adequate and clean Water Supply, Affordable Housing for the poor, Efficient Urban Mobility and the Public Transport, Power Supply, Robust IT Connectivity, Governance, especially e-Governance and citizens’ participation, Safety and Security of Citizens, Health and Education and sustainable Urban Environment. Under AMRUT, the Cabinet also approved central funding to the projects sanctioned under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) and not completed.
JnNURM was a massive city modernization scheme launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Urban Development on 3 December 2005 for a seven- year period (up to March 2012). The government had extended the tenure of the mission to March 31, 2014.
JnNURM projects, during 2005-2012, achieved physical progress of 50% and availed 50% of funds released as Central assistance. The projects sanctioned during 2012-14 would be supported till March 2017. However, it is important here to mention that the Central Government, in a significant policy departure from JnNURM, is not going to appraise individual projects.
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