UDM clears Rs. 25,000-cr for urban infra

Injecting a major push to Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) - covering 500 cities, the Urban Development Ministry has cleared Rs. 25,000-cr for the next three years. Launched in June 2015, AMRUT involves revamping cities with emphasis on road water supply, sewerage network and community parks, for which, every year states send their State Annual Action Plans to the apex committee, headed by secretary (urban development). This committee has been clearing projects as the states send them for sanction. However, the ministry has now decided to completely change the approach and sanctioning projects in one go. The states have been advised to send their plans for the next three fiscals i.e., 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-20 within this month. The newer initiative would help in long-term perspective and planning for which the central assistance under AMRUT is Rs. 50,000cr, said official sources.