Overview of the AMRUT Scheme (GS Paper 2, Government Policies)
Introduction:
India's urban population is projected to increase significantly in the coming decades, necessitating substantial investments in urban infrastructure.
The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme was launched to address these challenges and improve the quality of life in urban areas.
AMRUT Scheme:
Launch and Objectives:
Launched in June 2015, with a revised version, AMRUT 2.0, introduced in October 2021.
The scheme aims to address infrastructure challenges related to water, mobility, and pollution in urban areas, with a focus on ensuring access to essential services for all residents.
Key Objectives:
Ensuring access to tap water and sewerage connections for every household.
Enhancing the value of cities through the development of green spaces and parks.
Promoting sustainable transportation options to reduce pollution, such as public transport and non-motorized transport facilities.
Implementation:
The scheme involves financial assistance from the central government, with states and cities also contributing their share towards infrastructure development projects.
Reality Check:
Water and Sanitation Challenges: Inadequate access to water and sanitation contributes to significant health risks, with an estimated 2,00,000 deaths annually attributed to these factors. India lags behind in water and sanitation infrastructure compared to countries like China.
Water Scarcity: Groundwater depletion and inadequate water management pose significant challenges, with many cities facing the prospect of water scarcity in the near future.
Air Quality Concerns: Despite AMRUT's focus on water and sewerage, air quality remains a pressing issue in urban areas, prompting the launch of separate initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme.
Issues with AMRUT:
Project-Oriented Approach: AMRUT's project-oriented approach has been criticized for lacking a holistic perspective, focusing primarily on individual infrastructure projects rather than addressing broader urban challenges.
Limited Participation: The scheme's design has been criticized for its lack of participation from local governments and communities, with decision-making largely driven by bureaucratic and private interests.
Impact on Urban Planning: The dominance of private interests in AMRUT projects has led to concerns about urban planning priorities, including the disappearance of water bodies and disruption of natural drainage systems.
Conclusion:
To effectively address the challenges facing urban areas, the AMRUT scheme needs to adopt nature-based solutions and adopt a comprehensive, people-centric approach.
Empowering local bodies and fostering greater community participation are essential for ensuring the sustainability and success of urban development initiatives in India.
