Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

It was launched as a centrally sponsored scheme alongside Smart Cities Mission in 2015 by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (erstwhile Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission).

• It aims at transforming 500 cities via ensuring universal water supply and substantial improvement in sewerage & seepage management, storm water drainage, green spaces & parks and non-motorized urban transport in Mission cities.
• The scheme has been allocated Rs 7,300 crore in 2021-22 union budget.
• Ease of Living Index and Municipal Performance Index were launched to assess the progress made under various schemes for urban development.
• The issues with AMRUT have been –Non-availability of lands, delay in administrative clearances, shortage of manpower and local resistance.

The administration must overcome the impediments by ensuring smooth and speedy land acquisition, proper information dissemination to clear doubts etc. to ensure success of the mission.