After gaining significantly from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) over the past few years, Chennai is now looking forward to the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for transforming its civic infrastructure.
The civic body needs more than Rs. 4,000 crore for its key civic projects such as stormwater drains, non-motorised transport and parks. But, funding continues to be a challenge.
This week, the civic body began sending officials to Pune for training on how to make optimum use of AMRUT.
During the previous DMK regime, Chennai received JNNURM funding successfully for many projects including stormwater drain networks in 174 sq. km in the old city limits, covering areas such as Royapuram, Teynampet, Kodambakkam, Anna Nagar, Ayanavaram, Adyar and Tondiarpet.
“As the civic body is facing a severe fund crunch, the Corporation is looking to tap Central government funding for its infrastructure projects,” said a senior official.
AMRUT will give priority to create infrastructure, provide basic services to households and build civic amenities, officials said.
The projects are expected to improve the quality of life of all residents, especially the estimated 18 lakh poor and the disadvantaged residents, they added.
As AMRUT focuses on cooperative federalism, giving freedom to States and urban local bodies to design and implement projects, cities such as Chennai are expected to gain significantly, officials expect.
With focus shifting on the training of officials, the civic body is expected to also get 10 per cent incentive for completing projects on time.
