Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched three mega infrastructure programme that meets the future urbanization and housing needs of the country. Two programmes – Smart cities and AMRUT (Atal Mission of Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) are aimed to revolutionize the urbanization process. The other scheme – the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana is aimed to achieve ‘Housing for all’ by 2022.
The programmes, that requires huge investment besides the participation of state and local bodies and extending over a decade was inaugurated at a function in the capital.
“The journey for team India begins on Thursday,” the PM told the function that was attended by ministers, local body representatives including mayors and municipal heads. The Prime Minister has noted that states and local bodies will play a key role in the execution of the schemes.
The two urbanization schemes –will bring 100 green filed or Brownfield smart cities and will rejuvenate 500 existing cities under AMRUT. Last day, the Cabinet has finalized the criteria for the selection of smart cities and AMRUT Scheme.
On the housing front, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana will finance 2 crore houses in urban areas and 4 crore houses in rural areas so that all people get housing by 2002.
Launching the programmes with political tones hinting at emergency during the Congress rule, the PM said that we need a bigger, stronger urban India. “Governments should have looked at urbanisation as an opportunity to drive growth. India’s population is aspiring better standards of living and quality of life and this urban push is the first step in that direction.”- Naendra Modi has told.
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