For the first time in India’s urban governance, the Urban Development Ministry is sending money to States in massive chunks so that the development projects are run without financial delays.
The Ministry cleared the first batch of projects under the flagship Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) for 89 cities worth Rs.2,786 crore. The States that are getting benefited from this push are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The focus of the urban renewal projects would be on establishing infrastructure that could ensure adequate water supply and robust sewerage networks. The ministry has asked the States to install water meters at the homes of consumers.
“This is for the first time that the Urban Development Ministry approved State level plans unlike the past practice of appraising and approving individual projects,” said the ministry spokesperson.
Nod for 143 projects About 143 projects that were submitted by the three States were approved after a review at the ministry.
