Gujarat’s Urban Makeover: 497 AMRUT 2.0 Projects Worth ₹4,832 Crore Completed
Gujarat boosts urban infrastructure with 2.72 lakh new tap connections and 1.03 lakh sewer links under the AMRUT 2.0 mission.
In a massive push to modernize urban landscapes and enhance the 'Ease of Living' for its residents, the Gujarat government has successfully completed 497 projects under the AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0) initiative. With a total investment of ₹4,832 crore, these works aim to strengthen city infrastructure and ensure basic amenities reach every household.
Launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on October 1, 2021, the mission has been aggressively implemented in Gujarat under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The focus remains on securing water supply, upgrading drainage systems, and rejuvenating the natural beauty of urban spaces.
Revolutionizing Water Supply and Sanitation
One of the primary goals of the AMRUT 2.0 mission is to ensure that every household within the jurisdiction of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) has access to clean tap water. Gujarat has made significant strides in this direction:
- Water Infrastructure: The state has completed 224 water supply projects valued at ₹2,937 crore.
- Capacity Boost: These efforts have added 539 MLD (million litres per day) to water treatment capacity and created 1,366 lakh litres of additional water storage.
- Network Expansion: A massive 2,128 km water distribution pipeline network has been laid.
- Direct Impact: Over 2.72 lakh new household tap connections have been established, benefiting roughly 23.87 lakh citizens.
Parallelly, the state has tackled urban waste management and sanitation across 31 designated AMRUT cities. Through 77 sewerage projects worth ₹1,500 crore, the government has increased wastewater treatment capacity by 162 MLD. This operation included the construction of a 931 km sewer network, resulting in over 1.03 lakh new household sewer connections, which has improved the lives of approximately 31.76 lakh people.
Green Spaces and Water Body Restoration
Beyond pipes and pumps, the mission has focused on the environmental health of Gujarat's cities. The government has prioritized the rejuvenation of water bodies and the creation of recreational spaces to improve the quality of urban life.
Lakes and Parks
To combat urban decay and secure water resources, 97 lake renovation projects worth ₹301 crore were undertaken, leading to the successful restoration of 78 lakes. Additionally, the state invested ₹94 crore across 99 works to develop 87 gardens and parks, providing citizens with essential green lungs within their cities.
Empowering Women through Green Initiatives
The AMRUT 2.0 mission in Gujarat has also integrated social empowerment with urban development. Through the ‘Amrut Mitra’ and ‘Women for Trees’ initiatives, the government is creating livelihood opportunities for women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
The ‘Women for Trees’ initiative has seen the participation of approximately 178 SHGs. Under this program, 165 projects worth ₹604.158 lakh have been executed, resulting in the planting of over 1.52 lakh trees, blending urban forestry with economic empowerment for women.