Govt might rejig UPA's flagship urban scheme

Government priority is urban upliftment and providing quality public transport

The new government might not continue the United Progressive Alliance’s flagship programme for modernisation of cities, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). Venkaiah Naidu, who took charge on Wednesday as urban development and housing and poverty alleviation minister, said, “As JNNURM is coming to an end, we will launch a new mission for improving our cities.”

The minister said to develop new cities, modern concepts such as geographic information system would be used and they would have solid and liquid waste management systems in place.

He said the government’s priority was urban development and providing quality public transport. “We will also look at creation of 100 smart cities and reducing interest rate on home loans to ensure housing for all,” he said. Housing for all within 75 years of Independence (or, by 2022) is a priority area of the BJP government, as listed in the party’s manifesto.

According to ministry officials, only 50-55 per cent work has been done across various projects launched under JNNURM. It was initially launched for seven years in 2005 but extended by two years till March 31 this year.

Officials say there was no directive from the earlier government on the extension of JNNURM.

“We would like to continue with the scheme, as we have been working on it for the last nine years. The new government might change the form of the existing scheme,” a senior official said. The objective of the mission was to encourage reforms and fast-track planned development of identified cities with a focus on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation among others.

Naidu said, “Housing is a priority area and it is my passion. My priority will be to ensure housing for all by 2020 and to reduce interest rate on home loans.” During the Atal Behari Vajpayee regime, interest rate was brought down from 11 per cent to seven per cent. Now, it is over 10 per cent.

Also, wherever possible, twin cities will be linked like Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Vijayawada and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. About 377 million people stay in urban areas, which is 32 per cent of the total population. “We also want to develop infrastructure in satellite towns. Just constructing houses in satellites towns won't help. There should be good schools, medical facilities, transportation facilities,” he said.

According to estimates, almost 50 per cent of population will be in urban areas by 2050.

There are plans to extend the Metro rail service to the interiors of the National Capital Region, including parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

“We would like to continue with the scheme, as we have been working on it for the last nine years. The new government might change the form of the existing scheme,” a senior official said. The objective of the mission was to encourage reforms and fast-track planned development of identified cities with a focus on efficiency in urban infrastructure and service delivery mechanisms, community participation among others.

Naidu said, “Housing is a priority area and it is my passion. My priority will be to ensure housing for all by 2020 and to reduce interest rate on home loans.” During the Atal Behari Vajpayee regime, interest rate was brought down from 11 per cent to seven per cent. Now, it is over 10 per cent.

Also, wherever possible, twin cities will be linked like Hyderabad and Secunderabad, Vijayawada and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh. About 377 million people stay in urban areas, which is 32 per cent of the total population. “We also want to develop infrastructure in satellite towns. Just constructing houses in satellites towns won't help. There should be good schools, medical facilities, transportation facilities,” he said.

According to estimates, almost 50 per cent of population will be in urban areas by 2050.

There are plans to extend the Metro rail service to the interiors of the National Capital Region, including parts of Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.