The State level Action Plan (PlAN) under AMRUT project in Chhattisgarh has accorded top priority to potential smart cities such as Raipur and Bilaspur.
While preparing State level Improvement Plan (SlIP), it (priority) has been kept in consideration and infrastructure gaps in potential smart cities, officials stated.
Notably, a master plan of all projects under AMRUT to achieve universal coverage during the Mission period 2015-16 to 2019-20 had been prepared at an estimated cost of `798.29 crore for Raipur and `262.32 crore for Raipur covering five projects each.
As many as 27 water supply projects to be taken up across Chhattisgarh under Centre’s AMRUT project would involve an expenditure of 440.95 crore during the current financial year.
The Centre’s funding component in the project would be `212.13 crore while the Chhattisgarh would contribute `137.08 crore with Urban local Bodies (UlBs) share being ` 91.38 crore, offcials stated.
Overall the Mission Thrust areas under AMRUT Project would be-- Water supply, Sewerage and Septage Management, Storm Water Drain, Pedestrian, Non Motorised and Public Transport Facilities, Parking Space, Green Spaces, Park and Recreation centres.
Notably, the Chhattisgarh government has approved Rs 13 crore for 89 developmental works to be undertaken by Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC).
Notably, a sum of ` 10 crore has been approved by the State government for various wards of RMC including drain construction, road widening, electrification and pipeline extension, according to an official press release
Besides these, around `2.50 crore has been approved for setting up a world class gym in the vacant space at International Swimming Pool at GE road besides other facilities.
Notably, last month, the Central government had released the first installment of ` 55.29 crore out of the approved `573.40 crore for State Annual Action Plan (SAAP) under AMRUT project for the current financial year in Chhattisgarh.
The Union Ministry of Urban Development has already released Central Assistance of `1,062.27 crore to 13 States as first installment under AMRUT project for the current financial year, officials stated.
This is a part of total Central Assistance of ` 5,311.38 crore committed to 13 States for which the Ministry has approved Atal Mission Action Plans for 2015-16 entailing total investment of ` 11,671.76 cr in 286 cities in these states.
The Ministry has so far cleared a total of 939 projects for 286 cities with most of them related to water supply and sewerage network services.
AMRUT project launched in June this year aims at ensuring water supply connections and sewer connections to all urban households in 500 mission cities besides supplying water at the norm of 135 litres per capita per day, on priority. Under this mission, construction of storm water drains, promotion of non-motorised urban transport, provision of parks and green spaces also will be supported.
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 official sources.
The State Urban Administration and Development Department will soon take up the integrated solid waste management project planned for the city.
The project would be taken up and operated under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model on Design, Build , Finance, Operate and Transfer basis, officials stated.
Notably, Raipur and Bilaspur cities in Chhattisgarh which have been included among 100 other cities in the country for ‘Smart Cities’ Mission would also be developed as ‘green cities’.
The Union Ministry of Urban Development will be utilising the services of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a unit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to develop energy efficient cities, officials stated.
As many as 82,555 private toilets have been constructed under the ‘Har Ghar Nal Har Ghar Sochalaya Scheme’ in the urban pockets of Chhattisgarh. About 42,927 toilets are under construction, stated officials.
Till date, the Chhattisgarh government has spent around `130 crore for construction of the toilets. Notably, the government had targetted to construct over 1.92 lakh private toilets for the families of 162 civic bodies in financial year 2014-15 and 2015-16, officials stated.
The construction of 22,636 toilets have been completed in Raipur division. A total of 7783 toilets are being constructed in Raipur (upto February 7). Similarly, 20,025 toilets have been built in Durg Division and 10,635 are yet to be constructed.
In Bilaspur division, 19,419 toilets were constructed and 10,686 are under construction. In Bastar division, the construction of toilets are completed and 7124 toilets are in process. 12, 711 toilets have been constructed in Surguja Division and 6,699 toilets are being constructed.
The maximum funds provided by the State government for building a private toilet is Rs 20,000. The municipal corporation’s share of the concerned beneficiary is ` 2,000, ` 1,500 in municipal council and Rs 1,000 in panchayats. Out of the sanctioned amount for toilet, ` 4,000 is provided by the Government and remaining `14,000 to Rs 15,000 are given by the State.