The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) started the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) as a flagship initiative to raise urban living conditions by developing infrastructure. The objective is to promote sustainable urban transportation, improve green areas, and provide universal access to essential urban services.
Objectives
Make sure every home has a sewage connection and a tap water supply. By creating green areas and well-kept parks, cities may raise their amenity value. Encourage non-motorized modes of transportation like walking and bicycling to help reduce urban pollution.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs) are in line with these goals.
Thrust Areas
The mission focuses on the following key areas:
- Water Supply: Ensure clean and universal access to water.
- Sewerage and Septage Management: Build efficient waste management systems.
- Storm Water Drainage: Reduce flooding in cities.
- Non-Motorized Urban Transport: Promote sustainable mobility options.
- Green Spaces/Parks: Create more parks and recreational areas.
Coverage
The scheme covers 500 cities, including:
- Cities and towns with a population over 1 lakh (as per Census 2011), including Cantonment Boards.
- State/UT capitals not covered under the above category.
- Cities classified as Heritage Cities under the HRIDAY Scheme.
- Thirteen cities on major rivers with a population of 75,000–1 lakh.
- Ten cities from hill states, islands, and tourist destinations (one city per state).
Benefits and Mission Components
Water Supply
- Augmentation of water supply systems, including treatment plants and metering.
- Rejuvenation of water bodies for drinking water supply and groundwater recharge.
- Special arrangements for water-scarce regions (e.g., areas with arsenic or fluoride contamination).
Sewerage
- Development of decentralized and underground sewerage systems.
- Recycling and reuse of wastewater.
- Rehabilitation of old sewerage systems and treatment plants.
Septage
- Efficient faecal sludge management, including cleaning, transportation, and treatment.
- Mechanical and biological cleaning of septic tanks and sewers.
Storm Water Drainage
- Construction and improvement of storm water drains to mitigate urban flooding.
Urban Transport
- Development of footpaths, walkways, and facilities for non-motorized transport (e.g., bicycles).
- Ferry vessels for inland waterways and multi-level parking facilities.
- Establishment of Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS).
Green Spaces and Parks
- Development of parks and open spaces with a special focus on child-friendly amenities.
Reforms Management
- Implementation of reforms through independent monitoring agencies and funding support.
Capacity Building
- Includes individual and institutional training for mission cities and other urban local bodies (ULBs).
- Realignment of the Comprehensive Capacity Building Programme (CCBP).
Inadmissible Components
The following items are not eligible for funding under AMRUT:
- Land purchase for projects.
- Salaries for State Government/ULB staff.
- Expenditures on power, telecom, health, education, and wage employment programs.
Application Process
Offline Process
- Direct Beneficiary Application Not Required:
- Projects under AMRUT are executed by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- State Governments may involve specialized parastatal agencies through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ULB, the State Government, and the concerned agency.
- ULBs are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of created assets.
Eligibility
This is an open scheme with no specific eligibility requirements. Cities included under AMRUT are pre-selected based on the criteria outlined under the scheme guidelines.
Documents Required
No specific documents are required for individual application as the projects are implemented by ULBs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is my city listed in the 500 cities under AMRUT Mission?
You can verify if your city is included by referring to the official AMRUT city list provided by MoHUA. - Can ULBs hire consultants for SLIP preparation?
Yes, ULBs can hire consultants to prepare Service Level Improvement Plans (SLIPs). - Is there a limit on project costs for each sector proposed by ULBs?
Project costs depend on the sector and are determined by ULBs based on local needs and SLBs. - How will ULBs manage their 30% share in AMRUT projects?
ULBs may seek assistance from State Governments or other revenue sources to fulfill their share. - What is the general order of prioritization for water and sewerage projects?
Projects are prioritized based on the need for universal coverage and alignment with SLBs. - Can reforms and capacity building extend to non-AMRUT cities?
Yes, reforms and capacity-building initiatives can be extended to other ULBs beyond AMRUT cities.
Sources and References
- Scheme Guidelines: Detailed guidelines issued by MoHUA.
- Mission Progress Dashboard: Regular updates and performance metrics.
- Official Website: For more information, visit the MoHUA official website.
The AMRUT mission is a step toward creating sustainable, livable cities with enhanced urban infrastructure and a better quality of life for all citizens.