04-June-2024-Editorial

ATAL MISSION FOR REJUVENATION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION (AMRUT) 

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched in 2015 to enhance basic infrastructure and implement urban reforms in selected cities across India, covering about 60% of the urban population. 

AMRUT 2.0 Scheme Overview: 

• Launched in 2021, AMRUT 2.0 aims to extend the mission to about 4,900 statutory towns in the country, focusing on universal coverage of water supply and sewerage management. 
• It promotes the circular economy of water through initiatives like City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) and emphasizes urban reforms for ease of living, such as reducing non-revenue water and strengthening urban finance. 

Components of AMRUT 2.0: 

• Pey Jal Survekshan: A survey to ensure equitable water distribution, wastewater reuse, and mapping of water bodies. 
• Technology Sub-Mission for Water: Leveraging global technologies for water management. 
• Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign: Spreading awareness about water conservation among the masses. 

Status of AMRUT 2.0 Scheme: 

• The total outlay for ongoing projects until March 2023 is Rs. 2,99,000 crore. 
• AMRUT has positively impacted women’s lives by reducing the effort required to fetch water and decreasing the disease burden due to improved access to safe drinking water. 

Challenges in Implementation: 

• State Project Implementation: Some states like Bihar and Assam have lagged in project completion, leading to less than 50% execution completion in most states. 
• Program Scope: The scheme’s project-focused approach lacks a holistic perspective. 
• Overlaps and Convergence Challenges: AMRUT overlaps with other schemes, posing funding allocation challenges and increased workload. 
• Unaddressed Air Pollution: Shifting solely to water and sewerage has left unresolved air quality issues. 
• Non-Inclusive Governance Structure: Lack of organic participation from elected city governments makes the scheme less inclusive. 

Steps to Revamp AMRUT Scheme: 

• Financial Solutions: Local urban bodies should diversify financial resources instead of relying solely on top-down funding. 
• Holistic Approach: Urban water management should consider climate change, rainfall patterns, and existing infrastructure, adopting nature-based solutions and empowering local bodies. 
• Community Engagement: Encouraging participation from community groups can enhance housing schemes’ effectiveness by soliciting ideas and feedback from grassroots levels. 
• Learning from Success Stories: Studying successful case studies can provide valuable insights for addressing hygiene and sanitation challenges. 
• Innovation and Research: Establishing innovation hubs to foster industry-specific research and development can spur innovative solutions and technologies. 

Conclusion: 

Revamping the AMRUT scheme requires addressing implementation challenges and adopting a holistic approach that integrates community engagement, learning from success stories, and fostering innovation. This will ensure effective infrastructure development and urban transformation across India.