Atal Mission for Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation helps provide essential infrastructure like water supply, sewerage networks, and public transport to households in selected urban cities across India. The scheme is now running as AMRUT 2.0, launched on 1 October 2021 for five years from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26, with a total outlay of ₹2,99,000 crore to make cities water secure and self reliant.

This scheme aims to improve the quality of life for all citizens, especially those from poor backgrounds, by developing sustainable amenities and green spaces. AMRUT 2.0 focuses on universal water tap connections for every household and complete sewerage and septage management in 500 cities covered under the first phase of the mission.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation - Introduction

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation was launched on 25 June 2015 in 500 selected cities and towns across the country. The mission focuses on basic infrastructure in water supply, sewerage and septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces and parks, and non-motorized urban transport. A set of urban reforms and training programs are part of the mission.

AMRUT 1.0 has been subsumed under AMRUT 2.0, which runs from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26. The new phase is designed to provide universal coverage of water supply through functional taps to all households in all statutory towns in the country and sewerage and septage management in the 500 cities covered in the first phase.

AMRUT 2.0 promotes a circular economy of water through a City Water Balance Plan for each city. This plan focuses on recycling and reusing treated sewage, rejuvenating water bodies, and conserving water. It helps cities find projects for universal functional water tap connections, water source conservation, rejuvenation of water bodies and wells, reuse of treated used water, and rainwater harvesting.

This scheme serves to achieve three main goals:

1. Make sure every household has access to a water tap and a reliable sewerage connection.
2. Boost the value of cities by creating well maintained open spaces and parks.
3. Reduce pollution levels by promoting public transport and building infrastructure for non-motorized options like walking and cycling.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has set specific standards known as Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs) to track progress. The mission also carries a reform agenda on ease of living through reduction of non-revenue water, reuse of treated used water, rejuvenation of water bodies, double entry accounting, urban planning, and stronger urban finance.

Currently, 500 cities are selected under this mission. These include all cities with over 1 lakh population as per the 2011 Census, all state capitals, heritage cities under the HRIDAY scheme, thirteen riverside towns with populations between 75,000 and 1 lakh, and ten cities from hill states or islands.

Key Information

Benefits

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation And Urban Transformation supports training, reform rollout, and infrastructure improvements in water supply, sewerage, drainage, transport, and green spaces. Local bodies are encouraged to add smart features to these projects. AMRUT 2.0 targets 2.68 crore new water tap connections and 2.64 crore new sewer and septage connections across the country.

Core components include:

• Water Supply: Augmenting existing systems, treatment plants, and installing universal meters. It also includes rejuvenating water bodies and providing special support to difficult terrains like coastal or hill areas.
• Sewerage and Septage: Developing underground networks, treating sewage, and managing faecal sludge well to recover costs.
• Storm Water Drainage: Building and improving drains to prevent city flooding.
• Urban Transport: Introducing buses, ferries, cycle tracks, walkways, and multi-level parking.
• Green Spaces: Creating parks with child-friendly features.
• Training: Training personnel to manage urban projects well.

Other parts of AMRUT 2.0 include the Pey Jal Survekshan to check fair distribution of water and reuse of wastewater, a Technology Sub-Mission for water to use the latest global water technologies, and an Information, Education and Communication campaign to spread awareness about water conservation.

Please note that certain items are not covered by this scheme funding:

Eligibility

This is a public infrastructure scheme rather than an individual benefit program. So there is no personal eligibility criteria required for citizens. The focus remains on improving 500 pre-selected urban cities across the country based on population and development status.

Application Process

You do not need to apply for this scheme. Since these are public works, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) carry out the project execution directly. If a local body lacks the capacity to handle specific projects, the State Government can recommend that specialized agencies take over through a formal tripartite agreement involving the state, the agency, and the municipality. Maintenance of the finished projects remains the responsibility of the local authorities.

STEP 1 - Local bodies prepare their City Water Balance Plan and identify projects under the mission sectors.

STEP 2 - The state government compiles these into a State Annual Action Plan and sends it to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for approval.

STEP 3 - After approval, the Urban Local Body or a specialized agency executes the project and maintains it once finished.

Documents

There are no documents you need to submit, as this scheme is implemented at the institutional level by the government.

References

AMRUT 2.0 Operational Guidelines

AMRUT 2.0 Official Portal

AMRUT Scheme Press Release

FAQ's

Is my city listed in the 500 cities selected for the mission?

You can check the official list of cities on the AMRUT 2.0 collaboration platform at amrut.mohua.gov.in.

Can my local body hire a consultant to prepare project plans?

The Ministry has simplified the preparation process and provides support; however, it remains the decision of the State or local body to hire a consultant for the service level improvement plans.

Is there a limit on project costs per sector?

There is no specific cost cap, but all projects should follow national priorities, which emphasize universal water supply and sewerage connections.

How will the local body share the project contribution?

The state government must contribute at least 20%, though there is no maximum limit for their share. Local bodies and states decide the funding arrangement based on official mission guidelines.

What is the priority order for projects?

Universal coverage of water supply is the top priority, followed by universal sewerage connections for all households.

How should pipe replacement be decided?

You should prioritize replacement only if it well reduces water loss or improves collection efficiency in the sewerage system.

Is there a separate budget for management units?

Yes, 10% of the annual budget is set aside as an incentive for states that achieve reform targets, which can be used for mission-related components within selected cities.

Can reform incentives be used for cities not covered by the mission?

No, the incentive awards are strictly meant for use within the 500 targeted mission cities.

Can the training be extended to other cities?

The training component currently focuses on 45,000 personnel specifically within the target mission cities.