Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
Name	Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
Abbr	AMRUT
Launched	2015
Ministry	Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Country	India
Objective	Urban water supply, sewerage, green spaces

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is a flagship urban renewal program initiated in 2015 to improve infrastructure in selected Indian cities. It seeks to provide basic services including water supply and sewerage while fostering urban liveability and resilience across municipal jurisdictions.

Background and Objectives

The mission was announced in the context of policy reforms following interactions among stakeholders such as Narendra Modi, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Smart Cities Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and state administrations including Government of Maharashtra, Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Karnataka. Its stated objectives align with targets set by forums like NITI Aayog, Reserve Bank of India urban finance recommendations, and international agendas such as the United Nations's Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda. The program emphasizes potable water access, sewerage and septage management, urban greenery, and e-governance, reflecting priorities identified by bodies like Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation and India Urban Observatory.

Scope and Coverage

AMRUT covers classical municipalities, municipal corporations, and cantonment boards across states and union territories including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Lucknow, Bhopal, and others. Implementation spans regional institutions such as State Urban Development Agencies, Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations, Panchayati Raj Institutions where applicable, and agencies like National Institute of Urban Affairs and Housing and Urban Development Corporation. Coverage criteria drew upon parameters applied in programs administered by Census of India and planning norms from Town and Country Planning Organisation.

Governance and Implementation Framework

Governance uses a multi-tier framework involving the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, state governments, and local bodies with technical support from entities like Central Public Works Department and Central Pollution Control Board. Implementation mechanisms leverage contracts guided by standards of Bureau of Indian Standards and procurement norms influenced by precedents from Public Works Department projects and financing structures similar to those of World Bank-funded urban programs. Institutional arrangements include State Level Mission Directorates, Project Management Units, and coordination with regulatory bodies such as Central Water Commission and National Green Tribunal when environmental clearances are required.

Funding and Financial Mechanisms

Funding blends central assistance, state contributions, and municipal finance, with incentives modelled after schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission and borrowing frameworks informed by Ministry of Finance advisories. Financial instruments include grants, market borrowings by Municipal Bonds, performance-linked transfers, and viability gap funding where eligible, referencing fiscal mechanisms used in initiatives led by Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Financial management draws on accounting practices promoted by Comptroller and Auditor General of India and audit processes similar to those in other centrally sponsored schemes.

Key Components and Infrastructure Projects

Core components prioritize universal water supply projects, comprehensive sewerage networks, stormwater drainage, urban parks, and green spaces, supplemented by smart metering and GIS-based asset management systems. Notable project types include water treatment plants, sewerage treatment facilities, trunk mains, pumping stations, and rejuvenation of wetlands and lakes with links to conservation efforts akin to programs in Ramsar Convention sites. Cities have implemented capital projects via contractors, consultants, and technical agencies such as National Environmental Engineering Research Institute and state engineering wings, often interfacing with schemes like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation's sister initiatives.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Outcomes

Monitoring employs indicators including household tap connections, coverage of sewer networks, quality parameters from Bureau of Indian Standards, and performance dashboards modelled after DataSmart and urban observatory platforms. Evaluations have been conducted by institutions like Institute for Human Development, Indian Statistical Institute, and independent auditors, reporting metrics on service level improvements, reductions in non-revenue water, and expansion of green cover. Outcomes vary by city: some municipal corporations reported significant increases in metered connections and treated wastewater reuse, while other urban local bodies showed slower implementation, echoing findings common to multi-city reform programs.

Criticisms and Challenges

Critiques reference uneven implementation across states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam, delays linked to land acquisition disputes adjudicated in forums like National Green Tribunal and High Courts of India, and concerns over fiscal sustainability cited by Reserve Bank of India analysts. Additional challenges include coordination gaps among bodies like Public Works Department, capacity constraints in smaller municipal councils, and environmental issues raised by activists associated with organizations like Centre for Science and Environment and The Energy and Resources Institute. Debates persist on scalability, equity of service delivery, and integration with wider urban planning tools used by agencies such as Urban Development Authorities.

Category:Urban development in India