Lok Sabha Question No. 5377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-25
Subject: Beautification of Cities
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5377

TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 25, 2019

## BEAUTIFICATION OF CITIES

No. 5377.        SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

Will  the  Minister  of  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)      whether  the  Government  is  implementing  any  scheme  for  the beautification  of  cities  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b)    the efforts made including scheme of the Government to get rid of the problem of water logging in the cities keeping in view the numerous  problems  faced  by  the  people  during  the  raining
- season on this account; and
- (c)      whether  amount  from  MPLADS  fund  is  allowed  to  be  spent  for providing  safe  drinking  water  in  urban  areas  and  if  so,  the
- details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

(a): Government of India has launched Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) on 25 June, 2015 to provide basic civic amenities in 500 selected Mission cities in the country. Increasing the amenity value of cities by developing greenery and well maintained open spaces such as parks is one of thrust areas of the

Mission. So far, 2382 projects worth ₹1,515 crore related to development  of  green  spaces/parks  have  been  taken  up  under  the Mission by the States/Union Territories (UTs), of which, contracts have been  awarded  for  2111  projects  worth  ₹1,360  crore  including  1079 completed projects worth ₹538 crore. In addition, 271 projects worth ₹155 crore are at various stages of tendering.

The  Government  of  India  has  also  launched  the  Smart  Cities Mission on 25 June 2015 for developing 100 cities as Smart Cities. The objective of the Smart Cities Mission is to promote cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of 'Smart' Solution.

- (b): Urban sanitation is a State subject and it is the responsibility of the State Governments to plan, design, execute and operate sanitation schemes in the urban areas of the country. Under AMRUT, construction  and  improvement  of  drains  and  storm  water  drains  in order to reduce and eliminate flooding is an admissible component. So far,  773 projects worth ₹2,707 crore related to storm water drainage have  been  taken  up  under  the  Mission  by  the  States/UTs,  of  which, contracts  have  been  awarded  for  729  projects  worth  ₹2,450  crore including  190  completed  projects  worth  ₹162  crore.  In  addition,  44 projects worth ₹257 crore are at various stages of tendering.
- (c): Yes,  Sir.  The  Member  of  Parliament  Local  Area  Development Scheme  (MPLADS)  funds  are  allowed  to  be  spent  for  providing  safe drinking water in urban areas. The details of funds spent by Members of  Parliament  for  carrying  out  various  works,  as  reported  by  the concerned  nodal  district authority of the  respective  Member  of Parliament, are available in the public  domain  on the website www.mplads.gov.in.

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