
In a significant announcement, Hardeep Singh Puri, India’s Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, revealed that an impressive sum of over Rs 18 lakh crore has been invested in urban transformation initiatives since the year 2014. This declaration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering urban development and improving the quality of life in India’s cities.
Minister Puri emphasized that India’s approach to cities has evolved, shifting from considering them as challenges to embracing them as opportunities. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for instigating a revolution in the country’s urban development paradigm, ushering in positive changes for urban areas across the nation.
One of the key achievements highlighted by Minister Puri was the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), or PMAY (Urban), which has sanctioned nearly 1.19 crore houses. Impressively, more than 1.13 crore houses have already begun construction, and 77 lakh have been successfully delivered, providing much-needed housing solutions to citizens.
Additionally, Minister Puri discussed the remarkable impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban, which has led to a significant behavioral shift towards cleanliness and hygiene. Solid waste processing has seen a remarkable increase, rising from 17% in 2014 to an impressive 76% today. The minister expressed confidence in achieving 100% waste processing in the near future.
The minister also highlighted the accomplishments of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), which has addressed critical social infrastructure needs in 500 cities. This includes providing over 1.72 crore water tap connections and 1.35 crore sewer connections. AMRUT 2.0 is now setting its sights on making India’s cities ‘Water Secure.’
Under the Smart Cities Mission, Puri reported the completion of 6,069 projects valued at over Rs. 1.1 lakh crores, showcasing the commitment to making cities more modern, efficient, and livable.
In the realm of transportation, Minister Puri pointed out that India currently boasts the world’s fifth-largest metro network, with approximately 871 km of metro lines already laid. With the construction of an additional 905 km of metro network, India is poised to become the world’s second-largest metro network.
Furthermore, Puri highlighted the success of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), which has created over 34.2 lakh livelihoods and provided skill training to 14.9 lakh candidates.
Minister Puri concluded by emphasizing the pivotal role of urban areas as centers of aspiration, opportunity, economic growth, and innovation. He stressed the importance of focusing on Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as the primary interface of governance for citizens, providing a platform for addressing their concerns and fostering development in India’s cities.