(AMRUT YOJANA) Transforming Cities, Improving Lives | Gist of Rajya Sabha TV / RSTV (now Sansad TV) - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), launched in 2015, has been a cornerstone of India’s urban development, reshaping cities by enhancing infrastructure, improving living conditions, and promoting sustainable, inclusive growth. Focusing on core municipal services like water supply, sewage management, and road infrastructure, AMRUT addresses critical factors impacting public health, productivity, and environmental quality. AMRUT 2.0, launched to cover all 4,900+ statutory towns, emphasizes water security, sewage treatment, circular water economies, and climate resilience, building on the foundation of AMRUT 1.0.

Evolution of AMRUT

• AMRUT 1.0 (2015): Targeted universal tap water supply, green urban spaces, and public transportation in select cities.
• AMRUT 2.0: Expanded to all statutory towns with increased funding, focusing on 100% sewage and septage management, water body rejuvenation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Key Highlights

• Infrastructure Overhaul: Improved water supply, sewage systems, and roads enhance urban livability.
• Expanded Scope: AMRUT 2.0 covers over 4,900 towns, prioritizing water security and circular water economies.
• Inclusive Planning: Universal access to services and park development uplift the urban poor.
• GIS-Based Planning: Data-driven master plans optimize resource allocation and urban management.
• Financial Challenges: Limited creditworthiness of urban local bodies (ULBs) hinders sustainable funding.
• Capacity Building: Training over 90,000 individuals and engaging communities ensures project success.
• Climate Focus: Urban planning integrates flood management, green infrastructure, and sustainability.

Key Insights

1. Water and Sewage as Urban Pillars
   AMRUT’s focus on water supply and sewage management directly improves public health and productivity. Circular water economies—emphasizing treatment and reuse—mitigate resource scarcity and enhance climate resilience, setting a model for sustainable urban living.

2. GIS-Based Master Planning
   GIS-based master plans integrate diverse datasets (e.g., water bodies, infrastructure, green cover), enabling evidence-based decision-making. Combined with AI and Management Information Systems (MIS), this approach optimizes service delivery and anticipates future urban needs.

3. Equity Through Inclusive Planning
   AMRUT’s emphasis on universal access, particularly for the urban poor, has reduced poverty (per World Bank data). Features like parks and water access in low-income areas promote dignity, health, and environmental justice.

4. Financial Sustainability Gaps
   Many ULBs face financial constraints, with few able to issue municipal bonds. Strengthening municipal revenue through property tax reforms, user charges, and capital market access is critical for scaling urban investments.

5. Governance and Coordination Challenges
   Fragmented governance, with parastatals managing core services, creates inefficiencies. Empowering ULBs with funds and functionaries, and fostering inter-departmental collaboration, is essential for holistic urban management.

6. Capacity Building and Community Engagement
   Training 90,000+ individuals and engaging women’s self-help groups via the AMRUT Mitra program enhance implementation capacity. Community involvement ensures projects meet local needs, especially in tier 2 and smaller towns.

7. Climate-Resilient Urban Future
   Embedding climate considerations—flood management, green infrastructure, and water conservation—in urban planning is critical to mitigate risks and ensure long-term livability as cities expand.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Challenges: Managing legacy infrastructure, improving ULB financial health, and ensuring governance coordination.
• Opportunities: Leveraging technology (AI, GIS), strengthening community engagement, and prioritizing climate resilience to build future-ready cities.

Conclusion

The AMRUT mission has transformed India’s urban landscape over the past decade, delivering improved infrastructure, equitable access, and sustainable growth. AMRUT 2.0’s expanded scope and focus on water security and climate resilience position India to build smarter, greener, and more inclusive cities. Sustained political will, technological integration, financial reforms, and community engagement are key to realizing India’s vision of a developed urban ecosystem by 2047.