Outline of Recent Thrust on Urban Planning through Various Schemes and Policies
in India
India has made significant strides in urban planning over the past few years, with various schemes and
policies focusing on addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization. These initiatives aim to improve
infrastructure, promote sustainable development, enhance governance, and ensure that urban areas
provide a better quality of life for all citlzens. Below is an outline detaling key policies, schemes, and the
thrust on urban planning in India:
1. Smart Cities Mission (2015)
Overview:
The Smart Cities Mission is one of the most ambitious urban initiatives in India, launched by the
Government of lndia in 2015. The mlssion focuses on creating 100 smart cities across the country by
leveraging technology, data analytlcs, and integrated infrastructure systems to improve urban living,
Objectlves:
. Infrastructure Development: Upgrade urban infrastructure with modern amenities such as efficient
waste management, water supply systems, smart traffc management, and energy-efficient lighting.
. Sustainability: Focus on sustainable urban growth by integrating green spaces, renewable energy.
and environment-frlendly solutions.
Citizen-Centric Approach: Improve governance, transparency, and provlde better public services
through digital platforms.
Example:
.Bhubaneswar: As one of the first smart cities, Bhubaneswar has implemented a smart traffic
management system, solar-powered street lights, and W-Fi in public spaces. t has also improved
the quality of urban services, such as waste collection and sanitation.
2. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)- Housing for All(2015)
Overview:
Launched in 2015, the PMAY is a government scheme aimed at providing affordable housing to the
urban poor by 2022. It is a key initiative in urban planning to address the growing housing shortage,
particularly in urban areas.
Objectlves:
Affordable Housing: Provide affordable homes to economically weaker sectlons (EWS), low-income
groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG).
Urban Poor: Focus on slum rehabilitation and providing basic infrastructure in slum areas.
" Beneficlary-centric: Subsidized loans, interest rate reductions, and financial assistance are provided
to beneficlarles.
Example:
" Chennai's Slum Rehabilitation: PMAY has been instrumental |In the redevelopment of slum areas in
citles lIke Chennai. The scheme has helped convert slums into organized residential areas with
better infrastructure and services.
3. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transfomation (AMRUT) - 2015
Overvlew.
Launched in 2015, AMRUT aims to improve basic urban infrastructure in cities with a focus on water
supply, sewerage, urban transport, and green spaces.
Objectlves
" Infrastructure Upgradation: Focus on upgrading water supply systems, sewage, stormwater
drainage, urban transport, and green spaces.
" Sustainabilty: Promote sustainable urban development through efficient resource management.
Equitable Developrment: Ensure basic services for all, especially low-income groups, to improve
urban living standards.
Example:
. Surat: Surat has Improved its drainage systems and water treatment plants under AMRUT, making it
one of the cleanest cities in India. The city's initiatives also include enhanced sewage treatment
and wastewater recycling.
4. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) - 2014
Overview:
areas,
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, Swachh Bharat Missilon airns to clean urban
eliminate open defecation, and improve waste management in cities.
Objectves:
. Cleanliness and Sanitation: Improve waste management, encourage sclentific waste processing.
and eliminate open defecation in urban areas.
Public Awareness: Create awareness about cleanliness and sanitation among citizens
Waste-to-Energy: Prornote waste-toenergy projects and composting to reduce landfill waste.
Example:
an effective
Indore: Indore, which has consistently ranked as India's cleanest city, has implemented
Bharat Mission, The city has
waste segregation and waste-to-energy program under the Swachh
also built public toilets and works to elininate open defecation.
5. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) - 2006 (Revised in 2017)
Overvlew
The NUTP focuses on improving urban transportation systems, reducing congestion, and ensuring
better accessibility and mobility for all citizens.
Objectlves
as buses, metro rail,
. Sustainable Transport: Encourage the use of public transport systems such
and non-motorized transport (walking and cycling).
Multi-Modal Transport: Promote integrated transport systerns that connect different modes of
transport (e.g. bus, metro, and trains).
Pollution Reduction: Focus on reducing carbon emissions through cleaner transport options and
the promotion of electric vehicles.
Example:
Delhi Metro: The Delhi Metro is an exemplary model of urban transport, providing an affordable,
efficient, and sustainable means of public transportation. It is one of the largest metro networks in
the world, reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.
6. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
Overview:
Launched in 2003, PMSSY aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure in urban areas, particularly in
underserved and economically weaker sections of cities.
Objectlves:
Health infrastructure Development Improve the healthcare infrastructure in urban areas by building
medical institutions and providing access to advanced healthcare services.
Capacity Building Build capacity for healthcare delivery, especially in cities with high population
densities and urban poor.
Example:
AIMS in Urban Centers: Under the PMSSY, AIIMSHike institutions have been set up ln cities
like
Patna, Bhopal, and Bhubaneshwar, ensuring that residents have access to affordable healthcare
and medical facilities
7. Urban Green Spaces and Environmental Initiatives
Overvlew:
Urban planning in India increasingly incorporates green spaces as part of sustainable city development,
focusing on reducing the urban heat island effect and promoting environmental sustainabilty.
Objectlves
. Urban Greenery: Create parks, gardens, and tree-lined streets to improve alr quality, provide
recreational spaces, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Sustainable Development: Promote eco-friendly infrastructure such as rainwater harvesting, green
roofs, and solar power generation.
Example:
. Mumbal's Coastal Road Project The Mumbai Coastal Road Project Includes the development of
green spaces and promenades, with efforts to reduce traffic congestion and alir pollution while
improving accessibility to coastal areas,
8. Smart Cities and Digital Governance
Overview.
Digital governance and smart cities are central to the Indian government's urban planning strategy. The
introduction of technology in urban governance, infrastructure, and service dellvery is a key thrust area.
Objectlves:
E-Governance: Use technology to improve transparency, reduce corruption, and provide citizens
with real-time access to services.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data analytics and smart city technologies to optimize urban
services such as water supply, waste management, and traffic control.
" Citizen Engagement: Encourage citizen participation in governance through digltal platforms.
Example:
Pune: Purne has integrated data-driven solutions into its urban planning initiatives, focusing on
traffic management, water distribution, and digital governance systems to improve service delivery
and citizen engagement.
9. State-Level and City-Level Initiatives
Overvlew:
Many Indian states and cities have inplemented their own urban planning policies and schemes to
tackle specific local challenges. These initiatives aim to address 0ssues like slum redevelopment, water
supply, urban sanitation, and waste management at the city level.
Objectlves:
" Localized Development: Address unique challenges faced by individual cities such as traffic
congestion, water scarcity, and waste management.
. Urban Resilence: Focus on making cities more resillent to environmental hazards lke flooding.
earthquakes, and climate change.
Example:
Bangalore's 'Bengaluru Smart City Project: Bengaluru's project aims to enhance infrastructure,
transportation, and urban mobility. It includes plans for new public parks, improved traffic
management, and better waste processing systems.
Hyderabad's City Revitalization Plans: The city has been focusing on rejuvenating old
nelghborhoods, enhancing public spaces, and expanding green zones, while also addressing
challenges related to water management.
Conclusion
The thrust on urban planning in india through these various schemes and policies reflects the country's
recognition of the need for organized, sustainable urban growth. While each initiative addresses specific
aspects of urban development-such as housing, sanitation, transport, and environmental sustainability
-they all share the common goal of making urban areas more livable, efficient, and inclusive. The
ongoing efforts through these programs are essential to managing the challenges posed by rapid
urbanizatlon, ensuring that Indian cities can provide quality infrastructure, services, and a better
standard of living for their residents.
