Curation Team
LUCKNOW: The UP cabinet on Thursday gave the go-ahead to the urban development department to implement the remaining goals and projects required for the completion of the Amrut 2.0 scheme. Launched in Oct 2021 with a timeline of five years for the completion of the projects, the scheme, run jointly by the central and state govt as well as urban local bodies, will draw to a close in 2026.
To provide free drinking water connections across 762 urban local bodies, sewerage connections in 60 cities with more than 1 lakh population, green areas, parks, and Amrit Sarovars, a total outlay of Rs 24,000 crore was prepared, out of which projects worth Rs 8,161 crore were funded by the central govt.
The remaining expenses were to be shared by the state and ULBs concerned. While municipal corporations governing the key 17 cities have been able to mop up increased revenue over the years, the financial condition of many town councils continues to be dismal. “We need to support the newly created town councils as it will take time for them to generate revenue. Hence, the state govt was asked to pool in more money to provide quality services to the urban population,” said an officer.
Over the past five years, 35 new ULBs were created while the limits of 62 existing ones were expanded to push for rapid urbanisation in the state.
