Restructuring urban policy, the Madhya Pradesh Government, led by Chief Minister Kamal Nath, is bringing sweeping changes to cityscapes across the State.

Identifying urban development as a thrust area, the State Government has launched various schemes to upgrade cities into inclusive living spaces meeting global benchmarks in terms of envisioning and planning for the future.

Going beyond the development of urban infrastructure such as roads and transport facilities, the new schemes will ensure public welfare and address the issues of efficiency, sanitation and protection of the environment.

In a bid to keep cities inclusive in face of spiraling real estate prices, the Kamal Nath Government has launched a housing mission for the urban poor.

As part of the mission the state government is allotting land lease (Patta) to landless city dwellers. The government has also given its ascent for the development of nearly 1.16 lakh housing units for the urban poor at a cost of 1,770 crores.

Under the scheme to boost urban infrastructure the government has cleared projects worth Rs 67.99 crores for six urban bodies while another 13 have earned clearances for projects amounting to Rs 79.38 crores. And 40 civic bodies have received authorisation for plans worth Rs 98.71 crores.

A dozen municipalities have also been invested with a grant of Rs 13.13 crores. Budget allocations of Rs 50 cores have been made for the mini smart city project at Chhindwara.

Experts describe urban development as an inter-disciplinary activity which draws on social sciences, engineering and design sciences to create human settlements with a positive impact on social and economic activity.

With a vision to curb urban unemployment, the State Government has launched a scheme to impart skill development training to youth with a guarantee of hundred days of employment and a proportionate stipend to the beneficiaries.

Nearly 4.25 lakh youngsters have registered under the scheme being offered through 166 urban bodies which are responsible for conducting these trainings in 38 trades.

Currently nearly 20,000 youngsters are undergoing training while Rs 1,210 crore has already been disbursed as stipend to 18,396 beneficiaries.

Financial assistance and grants are also being provided to urban youth in order to help generate self employment opportunities and promote entrepreneurship abilities.

Under the Swachh Bharat Mission improvements have been brought by decentralising the solid waste management system and financial assistance to the tune of Rs 50.76 crores has been provided to urban bodies for the acquisition of 850 vehicles for doorstep collection of waste.

An expenditure of over Rs 14 crore has been incurred for the establishment of 83 material recovery centers. Municipal bodies have also been provided with additional assistance for the establishment and upkeep of transfer centers.

The establishment of smart cities too received a shot in the arm with the issuance of work orders for 89 projects at a cost of nearly Rs 1,799 crores.

During the last one year 39 projects have been completed while another 50 projects amounting to Rs 2,473.78 crorers are currently in the tender process.

Substantial investments have also been made in water supply and waste water management projects in several cities. The Madhya Pradesh Urban Development Company has provided financial assistance for some of these projects.

A work order for the Rs 90 crore sewerage plan has been issued for Shajapur while sewerage systems have been strengthened in eight cities under the Narmada Sewa Mission.

Drinking water systems are also being strengthened across the State. During the last year potable water schemes worth Rs 980 lakhs were approved by the State Government while schemes worth 29,190 lakhs were completed in 26 urban centers.

Water projects worth Rs 51,418.46 lakhs were completed under the Urban Infrastructure Development for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) scheme and financial approvals worth Rs 7,282.59 lakhs were provided for drinking water projects at 10 urban centers.

Significant improvements have also been brought to public transport services across the State.

A swank new bus stop is coming up at Chhindwara under the Public Private Partnership model at a cost of Rs 7.5 crores.

Attempting to curtail vehicular pollution the Kamal Nath Government has formulated the Madhya Pradesh Electric Vehicle Policy-2019. In the first phase of the scheme 40 electric buses are plying in Indore, the financial nerve-center of the state. An additional 340 electric buses are proposed to be launched in the near future.

With Chief Minister Kamal Nath placing a strong impetus on time efficient result oriented efforts, bustling yet inclusive and healthy urban spaces are on the fast approaching horizon for Madhya Pradesh.