Context: India is rapidly urbanizing, around 36% of India’s population is living in cities and by 2047 it will be more than 50%.

• The World Bank estimates that around $840 billion is required to fund the bare minimum urban infrastructure over the next 15 years.

About Amrut scheme

• The Mission covers covering 500 cities that includes all cities and towns with a population of over one lakh with notified Municipalities.

• The major project components are Water Supply system, Sewerage, Septage, Storm Water Drainage, Urban Transport, Green Space and Parks, Reforms management and support, Capacity building etc.

• It is being operated as Central Sponsored Scheme. The project fund is divided among States/UTs in an equitable formula in which 50:50 weightage. It is being given to the urban population of each State/UT and number of statutory towns. 

• Looking at the rapid urbanisation and to address the infrastructure need, AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme was launched by the government in 2015, with its 2.0 version launched in 2021.

• The mission was drawn to cover 500 cities and towns with a population of over one lakh with notified municipalities. 

The purpose of the AMRUT mission was to:

• ensure that every household has access to a tap with assured supply of water and a sewerage connection; 

• increase the value of cities by developing greenery and well-maintained open spaces such as parks and; 

• reduce pollution by switching to public transport or constructing facilities for non-motorised transport. 

• AMRUT 2.0: Aimed at making cities ‘water secure’ and providing functional water tap connections to all households in all statutory towns.

• Ambitious targets were set up such as providing 100% sewage management in 500 AMRUT cities.

Other components of AMRUT 2.0 are:

• Pey Jal Survekshan to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater, mapping of water bodies and promote healthy competition among the cities /towns.

• Technology Sub-Mission for water to leverage latest global technologies in the field of water.

• Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to spread awareness among masses about conservation of water.

Need for the Scheme

• It is estimated that about 2,00,000 people die every year due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene. 

• In 2016, the disease burden due to unsafe water and sanitation per person was 40 times higher in India than in China. 

• The 150 reservoirs monitored by the central government, which supplies water for drinking and irrigation, and are the country’s key source of hydro-electricity, were filled to just 40% of its capacity a few weeks ago.

• Around 21 major cities are going to run out of ground water. 

• In a NITI Aayog report it was stated that 40% of India’s population will have no access to drinking water by 2030. 

• Nearly 31% of urban Indian households do not have piped water; 67.3% are not connected to a piped sewerage discharge system; and average water supply per person in urban India is 69.25 litres/day, whereas the required amount is 135 litres.

Challenges

• Narrow Approach: The basic fundamental of the scheme was erroneously constructed. Instead of a holistic approach, it took on a project-oriented attitude.

• Furthermore, AMRUT was made for cities with no participation from the cities. It was quite mechanical in design, with hardly any organic participation of the elected city governments, and driven by mostly private interests. 

• Delays in Implementation: Like many government schemes, AMRUT projects often face delays in implementation due to bureaucratic hurdles, land acquisition issues, and other administrative challenges.

• Maintenance and Sustainability: While AMRUT focuses on building new infrastructure, ensuring its long-term maintenance and sustainability is equally important.

• Without proper maintenance, the infrastructure deteriorates over time, undermining the benefits of the scheme.

• Inclusivity: There is a need to ensure that the benefits of AMRUT reach all sections of society, including marginalized communities and informal settlements.

• Inclusive planning and implementation strategies are essential to address the needs of all urban residents.

• Environmental Impact: The rapid urbanization and infrastructure development under AMRUT may have adverse environmental consequences if not implemented sustainably.

• Measures should be taken to minimize environmental degradation and promote eco-friendly practices.

Critical analysis of AMRUT

• Not holistic approach: Instead of a holistic approach, it took on a project-oriented attitude. 

• Lack of city participation: AMRUT was made for cities with no participation from the cities. It was quite mechanical in design, with hardly any organic participation of the elected city governments, and driven by mostly private interests.

• Bureaucratic nature: The project was owned by bureaucrats, parastatals, and large technology-based companies. For example, in the governance architecture, the apex committee is headed by the secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) and all the members are non-elected. Similarly, the State level high powered committee is headed by the chief secretary with a private nexus of consultants and professionals. Peoples’ representatives are completely missing, in violation of the 74th constitutional amendment.

• Changes in climate and rainfall pattern are not taken into account while planning for water management in cities. 

• Since the drivers are large private players and builders, real estate development has become a proxy for urban planning — disappearance of water bodies and lakes, disrupted storm water flows, and absence of storm water drainage is very common.

• Some other reasons for the delay could be lack of political will, given that some states like Bihar have not even realised their second instalment of funds towards the projects, concentration on other projects, overburden, corruption and rise in construction cost

Road Ahead

• The scheme needs nature based solutions and a comprehensive methodology with a people centric approach and empowering local bodies.

• By addressing these challenges effectively, AMRUT can play a crucial role in improving the quality of life in urban areas across India.

• Sustainable development of cities must be the core idea. Issues like air, water and soil pollution, housing, tourism, real estate, employment etc must be considered.

• Urban local bodies, elected representatives and common city people must also be taken into account. 

• Research and innovation must be done in order to understand the changes in rainfall pattern. Wetland conservation, river front development, aquifer recharge, water harvesting must be done.

• Digital solutions to address the issues of corruption, monitoring funds transfer and utilization must be designed.