AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Scheme

AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) Scheme

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) has recently gained attention due to the challenges it faces in addressing critical urban infrastructure issues, including water supply, mobility, and pollution. While the mission aims to revamp urban living standards, it has encountered several hurdles in achieving its goals.

What is the AMRUT Scheme?
Overview: The AMRUT scheme was launched on June 25, 2015, with the aim of enhancing urban infrastructure and improving the quality of life for residents in 500 selected cities across India. These cities, which cover approximately 60% of the urban population, were chosen to receive support for upgrading essential services such as water supply, sewerage, drainage systems, green spaces, and non-motorized transport. The focus is on implementing urban reforms alongside infrastructure development to ensure sustainable growth.

AMRUT 2.0 Scheme: AMRUT 2.0, which replaced AMRUT 1.0, was launched on October 1, 2021, and will run for five years, from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.

Its primary objectives include:

• Expanding water supply coverage to over 4,900 statutory towns, building on the initial 500 cities.
• Addressing sewerage and septage management in the cities covered by AMRUT 1.0.
• Promoting a circular economy for water through initiatives like the City Water Balance Plan (CWBP), which focuses on recycling and reusing treated sewage, rejuvenating water bodies, and promoting water conservation.

AMRUT 2.0 also aims to improve citizens' living standards by reducing non-revenue water, improving urban planning, and strengthening urban finance.

Key Components of AMRUT 2.0:

• Pey Jal Survekshan: A competition to measure and ensure equitable water distribution, wastewater reuse, water body mapping, and overall improvements.
• Technology Sub-Mission for Water: To integrate global technologies in the water sector.
• Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign: A national awareness initiative focused on water conservation.

Status of AMRUT 2.0
Fund Allocation: The total outlay for AMRUT 2.0 is Rs. 2,99,000 crore, which covers ongoing projects up to March 2023. Impact: AMRUT has made a positive impact, especially in improving the lives of women. The reduced time and effort spent fetching water has allowed women to engage in more productive activities. Additionally, the availability of safe drinking water has contributed to a reduction in waterborne diseases.

Challenges in Implementing AMRUT Despite its positive goals, the AMRUT scheme faces several significant challenges:

• Inadequate Water and Sanitation Coverage: Despite the scheme's efforts, about 200,000 people still die annually due to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. A NITI Aayog report warns that major cities like Delhi and Chennai could deplete their groundwater by 2030, leaving a large portion of the population without drinking water.
• Limited Access to Piped Water: Nearly 31% of urban households lack piped water, and 67.3% do not have access to a piped sewerage system, underscoring the gap in the scheme's reach.
• State-Level Implementation Issues: Many states, especially Bihar and Assam, have struggled to implement projects effectively, with less than 50% completion in some regions despite regular funding releases.
• Overlap with Other Schemes: There are concerns about potential overlaps with other government initiatives, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission, which could lead to confusion in fund allocation and exacerbate the workload of urban local bodies.
• Unresolved Air Pollution Issues: While AMRUT 2.0 focuses on water and sewerage, the original scheme left air pollution unaddressed, a critical urban challenge. The National Clean Air Programme aims to tackle this, but air quality remains a significant concern in many cities.
• Non-Inclusive Governance: AMRUT's design has been critiqued for its lack of grassroots participation, with insufficient involvement from elected city governments and local communities, which can lead to governance gaps and reduce the effectiveness of urban reforms.

Steps Needed to Revamp the AMRUT Scheme To address these challenges and ensure the success of AMRUT, the following steps are needed:

1. Financial Diversification: Urban local bodies should move beyond relying solely on central government funding. They need to explore alternative financial models, such as public-private partnerships (PPP), to enhance local resource mobilization and ensure more sustainable infrastructure development.
2. Adopt a Holistic Approach: Water management must account for changing climate patterns, rainfall variability, and existing infrastructure. A comprehensive urban water management strategy should integrate nature-based solutions and cater to the evolving challenges of urban environments.
3. People-Centric Approach: The implementation of AMRUT needs to be more inclusive. Local bodies must be empowered to make decisions, and communities should be involved in every stage, from planning to execution. Community-driven initiatives can ensure that the benefits of the scheme are felt by all sections of society.
4. Enhanced Community Engagement: Greater participation from community groups, NGOs, and local residents can improve the effectiveness of the scheme. For example, feedback from communities can help tailor the projects to local needs and ensure sustainability.
5. Innovation and Research: Establishing innovation hubs and supporting research in health, housing, and water management can lead to the development of new technologies and solutions. These can be applied to urban infrastructure, especially in areas like water purification, sanitation, and air quality management.
6. Learning from Successful Case Studies: Analyzing successful models of water management and sanitation can offer valuable insights. For instance, the "Water Availability for All" initiative in Dahanu Taluka, which focused on providing potable water to local tribal communities, can serve as a template for other regions facing similar challenges.

key Takeaways
The AMRUT scheme represents a significant effort to transform urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for millions of Indians. However, it faces multiple challenges, particularly in terms of financial constraints, governance, and the need for a more inclusive, holistic approach. By adopting nature-based solutions, enhancing community participation, and learning from successful initiatives, the scheme can be revamped to address urban issues more effectively and sustainably.