4 years of Modi sarkar: How govt kept its focus on urban growth

The Ministry of Urban Development played a crucial role in the four years of the Modi government. India's urban population is projected to double in four decades starting 2011.

Keeping this shift in focus, the central government's support to urban development has been on the rise. One of the biggest projects undertaken was Atal Mission for Rejuvenation, Swachch Bharat Urban and Urban Transformation and Smart City Mission.

Let us take a look at some of the initiatives and achievements of the Ministry for Urban Development.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

The Cabinet has approved the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), a mission aimed at transforming 500 cities and towns into efficient urban living spaces, with the special focus on a healthy and green environment for children. The Cabinet approved Rs 50,000 crore for this mission which is to be spent over the next five years.

The Mission will focus on the following Thrust Areas:

(i) Water Supply,

(ii) Sewerage facilities and septage management,

(iii) Storm Water drains to reduce flooding,

(iv) Pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, parking spaces, and

(v) Enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks and recreation centres, especially for children.

Smart City Mission

Smart Cities Mission is an urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with a mission to develop 100 cities all over the country making them citizen friendly and sustainable. The Union Ministry of Urban Development is responsible for implementing the mission in collaboration with the state governments of the respective cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started this mission in the year 2015.

Swachch Bharat Urban:

Under Swachh Bharat Urban, 31 lakhs individual household toilets were constructed so far and 18.50 lakh more toilets are under construction, according to data available. Meanwhile, Waste processing have been increased to 21.51% from 18% in 2014. The data also shows that 614 cities have been so far declared Open Defecation Free after due verification. Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh became the first states to declare their urban areas as Open Defecation Free (ODF).