SMART INDIA MISSION GETS A GREEN SIGNAL BY MODI

The words Smart Cities, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
and Housing for All were surrounding our eyes and ears for over a year now with lots of
questions arising with it whether this will go down in the history books as just a dream or
reality. Marking a major initiative for the urban development and revolution in the country,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has finally launched the Smart Cities mission, AMRUT and
Housing for All; keeping on track with his promise to the nation to bring a transformation in
life of every citizen of the country and to put India on the global map as the most rapidly
developing country.
The core objective behind these three schemes launched by Modi is to develop Indian cities
and towns as new engines of growth. The promise of Acche Din by the government was not
just a mere statement as now we see the momentum gaining pace. Smart cities, AMRUT and
Housing for all schemes will not only ensure a shelter to every household but will guarantee
transformation of their lifestyles which is crucial to overall development of the country. With
these schemes now launched, there will be an upsurge of job opportunities, sound
infrastructure and basic civic setup for each city which is most significant for urbanisation to
take place, says Mr. Deepak Kapoor, President CREDAI Western U.P. & Director,
GulshanHomz. The three big ticket projects Smart Cities mission, AMRUT and Housing for
all are now named as Pradhan MantriAwasYojna (PMAY) and is worth Rs. 4 lakh crore
approx..
The Smart City and AMRUT projects will draw Rs. 48,000 crores and Rs. 50,000 crores
respectively, in central grants over the next five years. Housing for all by 2022 plan will see a
government expenditure of about Rs. 3 lakh crores during the next 7 seven years which is
aimed at constructing 2 crore affordable houses in urban areas for slum dwellers and people
falling under Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Lower income Groups (LIG). Under
the housing scheme, interest subsidy of 6.5 percent on housing loans with tenure upto 15
years will be provided to EWS and LIGs, offering them a benefit of about Rs. 2.3 lakhs. For
AMRUT, 500 cities having a population of 1 lakh or more will be chosen for this project.
Speaking about the major affect that these plans will have, Mr. Praveen Tyagi,CMD, VVIP
states The AMRUT plan aims at urbanisation of 500 cities whereas the Smart Cities plan is
targeted to enhance the quality of life of 100 identified cities and towns which will be
confirmed by superior infrastructure, smart living through smart features, better services at
disposal and a clean, green and much sustainable environment for the population. Housing
for all schemewill act as a perfect catalyst here by enhancing the purchasing power of EWS
and LIGs by reducing their burden through decreasing home loan amounts.
Along with the launch of three schemes, PM also unveiled the criteria and guidelines for the
smart cities and other schemes apart from releasing operational guidelines for the three urban
missions, unveiling logos and tag lines. Modi also stated that neither the centre nor the states
will have any discretion in choosing 100 cities through a competition for smart cities scheme.

The launch event is to be followed by a 2 day workshop where over 1000 mayors, municipal
heads, ministers concerned from states and their chief secretaries will take part. Uttar Pradesh
is ready to lead the pack here with the opportunity to nominate 13 cities to be developed as
smart cities and 54 cities identified under the AMRUT scheme. Uttar Pradesh is one of the
largest states of India with a major scope of development available here thus, 13 cities
identified as smart cities and 54 cities for AMRUT scheme will mean that UP will get the
most out this Smart India mission. Overall, the plan looks very well laid down with proper
distribution of funds planned for Smart cities mission, AMRUT and Housing for all as well.
With the three most important schemes now underway, India is now on a path of smart
development, says Mr. Ashok Gupta, CMD, Ajnara India Ltd.
After UP, Tamil Nadu is placed at second position with 12 smart cities and 33 AMRUT
cities being allotted. Maharashtra has been selected for 10 smart cities and 37 AMRUT cities
with Gujarat and Karnataka are eligible for 6 smart cities each and 31 & 21 AMRUT cities
respectively. Delhi has been allotted one smart and AMRUT city. As per the criteria finalised
by the government for the smart cities project, West Bengal and Rajasthan get to nominate 4
cities a piece with Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab for 3 cities; Odisha, Haryana, Telangana
and Chhatisgarh two cities; and J & K, Kerela, Jharkhand, Assam, Himachal, Goa, Arunachal
and Chandigarh, one city each. Likewise, for the AMRUT scheme, 31 cities have been
identified in Andhra Pradesh, 30 for Rajasthan, 28 in West Bengal, 27 in Bihar, 19 in Odisha
and Haryana, 18 in Kerala, 17 in Punjab, 15 in Telangana and 10 in Chhatisgarh. Mr.
KushagrAnsal, Director, Ansal Housing says The much awaited dream of transforming India
is finally turning into a reality. It is imperative to understand that these 3 projects are forming
a hierarchy of necessity for our country. Housing for all is the base, as it crucial to first make
sure that everyone gets a roof over their head. In the middle will be the AMRUT plan as,
rejuvenation and urban transformation is a need to move further towards smart living and get
over from basic living. Finally, the cities that already meet the basic requirement are now
looked upon to be made ready for the next level infrastructure.
Moving ahead, now since the plan is underway the government will be doing its bit to
develop the next level infrastructure for the country, but it will require most assistance from
the private players of the country along with FDI. The plan to develop 100 smart and 500
AMRUT cities will not succeed until the entire nation stands as one unit. The public private
partnership model will best fit here as now there will be an immense requirement of quality
infrastructure and smart facilities. The Indian real estate market which was experiencing a
sluggish growth for many years now is greatly welcoming this move as the governments
budget outlay for PMAY of Rs. 4 lakh crores is expected to be invested into the Indian real
estate sector directly or indirectly and that also at a national level, states Mr. Rupesh Gupta,
Director, JM Housing. Adding to the view, Mr. Rajesh Goyal, Vice President CREDAI
Western UP & MD, RG Group says The idea of spruce urban spaces through 100 Smart
Cities and AMRUT to adjust the burgeoning number of people have been pivotal to Modis
visionary election manifesto from the beginning. Finally, Union Cabinet cleared the projects
and has allocated gargantuan amount for the twin projects. FDI allured by these projects and

efficient allocation and execution of the same can change the face of urban lifestyle in India
as well as will propel much needed liquidity in the economy.
The three projects launched today are interdependent and has a common vision of
developing the nation and its people. Job opportunities for all, homes to everyone, smart
features, better lifestyle, superior infrastructure, higher GDP, more FDI and increasing HDI
will be a few common phenomenon that we will all witness in the upcoming 5 to 7 years in
India. We are on a road to develop better and develop smart thereby ensuring an overall
development of the economy and its people. Now since these 3 projects have got a green
signal, the markets and industries will see a major boost as now there is a lot of work in hand
for everyone, concludes Mr. Prithvi Raj Kasana, MD, Morpheus Group.