Rs 2,537 cr released for urban infrastructure projects during 2006-0

New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) The Centre has released Rs 1,353 crore as the first installment of central assistance for the projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission during 2006-07.

Out of the approved projects, 64 were for water supply, 39 for sewerage, 39 for road and flyovers, 27 for drainage and 20 for solid waste management, a statement said today.

As many as 205 projects had been approved involving a total cost of Rs 17,000 crore. These projects would get central assistance of about Rs 8300 crore.

Sixty two cities had prepared city development plans, 49 cities had signed Memorandum of Agreement with the Union Urban Development Ministry with regard to reform agenda and implementation schedule.

Twentyeight cities and union territories had submitted their detailed project reports with regard to urban infrastructure and governance.

Rs 1,184 crore had been released as first installment of central assistance for projects under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns, UIDSSMT during 2006-07.

About 328 projects had been approved for 274 towns involving a total cost of Rs 4,204.62 crore. The government would release Rs 3,382.36 crore as central grant for the projects during the implementation period.

Secretary, Urban Development Ministry M Ramachandran reviewed the progress in a meeting of the JNNURM projects with the senior officials of the Ministry.

The government accorded top priority to drinking water, sewerage, drainage and solid waste management schemes in mission cities.

Mr Ramachandran convened a meeting of all states and UT urban development secretaries in Kochi on April 14.

The meeting would discuss issues, including capacity building at states and city levels, monitoring and implementation of JNNURM projects, urban infrastructure development schemes for small and medium towns, community participation, new technologies in sewerage and solid waste management, resource mobilisation for urban local bodies, measures to improve urban governments, reduction in water wastage and initiatives to improve public transport in cities.

UNI