Modi govt approves over Rs 4.13 lakh crore for urban infra in 3 years: Venkaiah Naidu
NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government has pumped in three and half times more investments than the previous UPA government to improve basic urban infrastructure, urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu has said.Along with investments, better per capital spending, central assistance and enhanced capacities of urban local bodies under new urban missions launched during the past three years are driving urban transformation, Naidu said. Comparing the urban development sector reforms during three years of the BJP-led government with 10 years under the UPA government, the minister said that per capita investment of Rs 15,475 has been approved during 2014-17 for a five-year period, more than three times the Rs 4,918 approved for 10 years under the UPA.
A total investment of Rs 4,13,475 crore has so far been approved for improving basic urban infrastructure, compared to Rs 1,18,034 crore approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, he said.
Addressing media persons on the urban sector initiatives, Naidu said, "A rule-based framework has been introduced to ensure objective selection of cities and allocation of central funds without any discretion and discrimination, and the same has been followed in getting unauthorised occupants of government houses evicted."
The minister said a major course correction has been launched during the past three years to improve quality of life in cities in an environment of inclusive, sustainable and accelerated urban development.
Giving an account of the positive outcomes of the initiatives of the government that are driving urban transformation, he said a total of 6,737 projects have so far been approved, more than double the 3,138 projects cleared under JNNURM.
"In an indication of the new language of governance and resource mobilisation, 322 AMRUT and smart cities have acquired credit ratings of which 147 have got investment grade," Naidu said. "For the first time, 500 AMRUT cities and 60 smart cities identified so far are pursuing five year comprehensive action plans for infrastructure development as against ad hoc approval of projects in the past."
Arun Gupta
