Know All About The AMRUT 2.0 Scheme For Urban Development In India

With an aim of providing basic civic amenities like water supply, sewerage, urban transport, parks, the Government of India, in 2015, launched the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). This mission is completely focussed on improving the quality of life for all; especially the poor and the disadvantaged. Further the Mission also is on infrastructure creation that has a direct link to provision of better services to the citizens.

On 1 October 2021, Honourable Prime Minister of India launched AMRUT 2.0 with a total budget of INR 2, 99,000 crores which is nearly 3 times of previous one. This augmentation is an outcome of confidence gained during implementation of AMRUT scheme and is expected to resolve the fundamental problems for every household. 

In AMRUT 2.0, the Mission Implements providing water tap connections to households in all statutory towns through 2.68 crore new household tap connections. It will provide universal household coverage of sewage services in 500 AMRUT cities through 2.64 crore new sewer coverage with sewer management. Rejuvenation of water bodies and green spaces and parks are other components of the Mission. Outcome based funding is a major feature of AMRUT 2.0.

What is the purpose of AMRUT mission

(i) Ensure that every household has access to a water tap with an assured supply of water and sewerage connections 

(ii) Develop open spaces and greenery in cities, such as parks, to improve their amenity value 

(iii) Switch to public transport or build facilities for non-motorized transport, such as walking or cycling, to reduce pollution.

AMRUT will spend INR.50, 000 crores over five years from FY 2015-16 to FY 2019-20, and the Mission will operate as a Central Sponsored Scheme. Among the States/UTs, the project fund is divided according to an equitable formula where the urban population of each State/UT is weighted by half and the number of statutory towns is weighted by half.

Coverage

As part of AMRUT, 500 cities have been selected. Below is a list of the cities that were selected to participate in AMRUT:

• As per Census 2011, all cities and towns with a population over one lakh with notified municipalities include cantonment boards (civil areas),

• State/UT capital cities and towns that are not covered in the above list ,

• All Cities/Towns classified as Heritage Cities by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair under the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme.

• Thirteen Cities and Towns on the stem of the main rivers with a population above 75,000 and less than 1 lakh

• There cannot be more than one city from each of the hill states, islands, and tourist destinations.

Mission Components

The AMRUT includes components such as capacity building, reform implementation, water supply, sewerage management, storm water drainage, urban transport, and development of green spaces and parks. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are striving to include some smart features in the physical infrastructure components during the planning process. Detailed information on each component is provided below.

The universal coverage of water supply and sewerage services has first charge in the Mission. There is a maximum allocation of 2.5 percent of project cost for development of parks with children and elderly friendly features.

Water Supply

• Water supply systems including augmentation of existing water supply, water treatment plants and universal metering.
• Rehabilitation of old water supply systems, including treatment plants.
• Rejuvenation of water bodies specifically for drinking water supply and recharging of groundwater.
• Special water supply arrangement for difficult areas, hill and coastal cities, including those having water quality problems (e.g. arsenic, fluoride)

Sewerage        

• Decentralized, networked underground sewerage systems, including augmentation of existing sewerage
• Systems and sewage treatment plants.
•  Rehabilitation of old sewerage systems and treatment plants.
• Recycling of water for beneficial purposes and reuse of wastewater. 

Storm Water Drainage

Construction and improvement of drains and storm water drains in order to reduce and eliminate flooding.

Urban Transport

Footpaths/ walkways, sidewalks, foot over-bridges and facilities for non-motorised transport (e.g. Bicycles).

Multi-level parking

Green space/parks

Development of green space and parks with special provision for children, senior citizens

Divyang  (specially challenged)  friendly components. 

Reforms

The Mission encourages and supports the States to implement reforms that will improve the financial health of the ULBs, improve the delivery of citizen services, increase transparency, and reduce costs.

Model building bylaws have been circulated by the Ministry and the States have been advised to adopt them, specifically their 14 essential features. Additionally, the Ministry supports the States in conducting credit ratings of the Mission cities, which can be used to raise resources from the market. As part of its efforts to improve the energy efficiency of pumps in the cities, the Ministry helps them conduct energy audits.