Amrut Scheme

AMRUT was initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs with a clear set of objectives. These objectives were formed with the view to achieve the purpose of the scheme that is to eventually create better or model cities for the citizens of the country.

The objectives under AMRUT are mentioned below.

• To ensure that every household in the selected city has an uninterrupted access to a working tap with assured supply of water
• To ensure that every household has a proper sewage connection
• To install storm water drains
• To increase the green spaces and well maintained open spaces as well as children’s parks in every part of the selected city.
• To reduce pollution by way of promotion of public transport and switching to them eventually
• To facilitate and promote non-motorized transport like walking and cycling.
• These outcomes have been valued by citizens (particularly women). 

The indicators and standards for the same have been prescribed by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in the form of Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs).

How are cities selected for the AMRUT scheme?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has aimed at transforming 500 select cities under the scheme. This list of cities will be notified by the Government. The basis of selecting the cities that will be given the benefits of the project and transformation under AMRUT Scheme are mentioned below.

• All cities and towns that have a population of over 1,00,000 with notified Municipalities this criterion is also applied on cities and towns having cantonment boards (Civilian areas).
• All such capital cities or towns of states or UTs which are not mentioned in the above category.
• All Cities/ Towns classified as Heritage Cities by MoUD under the HRIDAY Scheme,
• The scheme will also apply to thirteen cities and towns that are on the stem of the main rivers and have a population that is above 75,000 but less than 1,00,000.
• The scheme also aims to include ten cities from the hill states, islands and tourist destinations, however, the underlying condition being that not more than one city can be selected from each State.

Mission Components of the AMRUT Scheme

There are a few major components of the AMRUT Scheme apart from the capacity building and reform implementation as per its guidelines. Some of the other mission components that are highlighted under the scheme are mentioned below.

Water Supply

• This component includes an expansion of the existing water supply systems as well as water treatment plants and universal metering.
• Another aspect under this component is the treatment of the old water supply systems as well as the water treatment plants.
• Renewal of the water bodies giving more importance to the ones used for drinking water supply
• The scheme also aims to boost the ground water.
• Apart from the above areas of performance, the scheme aims to build special water supply arrangements for areas that are in hilly region or coastal region as well as those that have a problem with the quality of water supply available there.

Sewage

• The scheme aims at providing decentralized as well as a networked underground sewage systems
• The scheme also aims to enlarge the existing sewage systems and sewage treatment plants.
• This component of the scheme will also include the treatment of the old sewage system and treatment plants.
• Another important aspect of this component is to provide for and educate the public regarding the importance of recycling water for beneficial purposes along with the reuse of wastewater.

Storm Water Drains

In recent times we have seen many major cities coming to a standstill due to sudden flooding. Storm water drains are crucial in reduction and eventually eliminating the possibilities of floods. Hence, this is an important component of the AMRUT Scheme. The scheme, thereby, aims at constructing as well as improving the drains as well as storm water drains in the selected cities.

Urban Transport

This component of the scheme deals with its objective to promote public transport and non-motorized transport. The means to achieve this objective are the initiatives like constructing and maintaining the footpaths, sidewalks, foot-over bridges as well as multi-level parking space.

Green Spaces

The development of green spaces and special children zones is another objective under the AMRUT Scheme. The scheme aims to develop many green spaces and parks for the senior citizens, children as well as physically challenged persons.

FAQs on AMRUT Scheme