The Centre has approved Chhattisgarh’s action plan for implementing projects worth Rs1,998 crore under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Of the total quantum of funds approved under the action plan, the Centre would allocate Rs870 crore during the next three years and the remaining cost would be borne by the Chhattisgarh Government and civic bodies. Notably, as many as nine districts of Chhattisgarh have been identified for AMRUT project.
The purpose of AMRUT is to ensure that every household has access to a tap with assured supply of water and a sewerage connection, increase in amenity value of cities by developing greenery and well maintained open spaces (parks) and reduce pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non-motorized transport (like walking and cycling).
Districts identified for AMRUT mission are-- Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bhilai, Rajnandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur, said officials sources. An administrative approval regarding the project was given in a meeting chaired by Secretary of Urban Development Ministry in New Delhi recently.
The meeting was attended Principal Secretary, Urban Administration and Development Department, government of Chhattisgarh, R P Mandal and Director Dr Rohit Yadav. On the occasion, Dr Yadav gave a detailed presentation on the annual work plan for districts selected under the mission.
Notably, Chhattisgarh will now witness total convergence of three major and highly ambitious Centrally-sponsored urban development schemes in the days ahead.
As per a detailed note issued by the Union Urban Development Ministry, out of the 9 states under consideration, there is total convergence of housing, AMRUT and Smart City Missions in respect of Chhattisgarh (2 smart and 9 Amrut cities), Jammu & Kashmir (1 and 3), Kerala (1 and 7), MP (7 and 32), Odisha (2 and 9), Rajasthan (4 and 28), Telangana (2 and 11). This in effect means, 25 of the 26 smart cities in these 9 states are also covered under AMRUT and Housing missions as well and 123 AMRUT cities under housing mission, it stated.
Only in case of Gujarat, there is a degree of deviation. One of the 6 smart city aspirants identified only Dahod does not figure in the 30 cities and towns so far identified for housing projects. 11 of 30 Amrut cities viz.,Bolad, Godhra,Goudal,Jamnagar, Junagadh,Nadiad, Morvi,Palanpur, Porbandar,Veravel and Surendranagar-Dudhrej are still to be included in the housing list.
Notably, in Chhattisgarh, Raipur and Bilaspur also made it to the Centre’s ‘Smart Cities Mission’ among the list of 98 cities selected across the country .
Union Ministry of Urban development selected Raipur with population 10,47,389 and Bilaspur 3,65, 579 98 as cities eligible for being nominated for the ‘Smart Cities Mission’.
Close on the heels of announcing 98 smart cities by Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu on August 27 this month, the Ministry of Housing and Urban poverty Alleviation, also headed by the Minister came out with a list of 305 cities and towns for building houses for urban poor.
Earlier this month, Urban Devemlopment Ministry has identified 482 cities and towns, each with a population of one lakh and above as AMRUT cities for ensuring basic infrastructure like water connections to all urban households, sewer connections and septage management, storm water drains, urban transport etc.
From the three lists firmed up so far, a clear pattern of convergence emerges, much to the delight of the Government. An integrated look at the three lists bears out this pattern of clear convergence.
The 9 States that have identified 305 housing cities and towns, also account for 26 of the 99 smart cities(including either Jammu or Srinagar, when the State government firms up its choice between these two) and 136 of 482 AMRUT cities and towns as well.
Of these, urban poor housing projects will be taken up in 25 smart cities and 123 AMRUT cities bringing our clear convergence that enables pooling of funds and integration of action plans. Affordable housing is an integral part of smart city initiative which focuses on inclusive development. Identification of cities/towns for housing projects depends on demand situation and prioritization in terms of number of poor and slum dwellers in a city/town, officials stated.