Ahmedabad, July 17 (IANS) Ahmedabad has secured approval for six urban infrastructure projects worth Rs 2,719.80 crore under the Central government’s ‘Urban Challenge Fund’, with the investment set to modernise the city’s ageing sewerage network, introduce intelligent water management systems and integrate public transport services through a common digital platform.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has approved the projects under the Urban Challenge Fund, a scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support market-led urban transformation and balanced regional development.
The six projects are among those approved for Ahmedabad and form part of the state’s overall allocation of Rs 6,475 crore under the fund.
The approved projects include Rs 852.93 crore for the rehabilitation of the main sewerage network in western Ahmedabad, Rs 551.35 crore for the rehabilitation of the main sewerage network in eastern Ahmedabad and Rs 290.24 crore for the rehabilitation of old sewerage networks in different parts of the city.
In addition, Rs 215 crore has been approved for an Intelligent Water Management System, Rs 479.25 crore for establishing a 125 tonnes per day Integrated Sludge Management Facility and Rs 331.03 crore for an Integrated Transit Management System (ITMS) along with an Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS).
According to the government, rehabilitation of the city’s ageing sewerage network is expected to significantly reduce sewer overflows and leakages.
The projects will also allow real-time digital monitoring and smart management of Ahmedabad’s entire sewerage and stormwater network.
The Integrated Sludge Management Facility is intended to convert sewage sludge into biogas and green energy, with the government stating that the project will support environmentally sustainable practices and promote a circular economy.
The Integrated Transit Management System and Automated Fare Collection System are expected to integrate Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS), the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and the Metro through a common mobility card and a single journey application.
The system is also expected to provide passengers with real-time public transport information, enable artificial intelligence-based route planning and improve incident management through modern in-bus surveillance.
The state government said the projects would help develop efficient, sustainable and future-ready urban infrastructure while improving the quality of public services available to citizens.
The approval has been granted under the Urban Challenge Fund, which the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched to encourage cities to adopt market-based financing models while promoting balanced urban development.
The scheme envisages central assistance of Rs 1 lakh crore over five years for market-led urban transformation.
Projects under the scheme can be undertaken across three verticals: Creative Redevelopment of Cities, Cities as Growth Hubs, and Water and Sanitation.
Gujarat has been allocated Rs 6,475 crore in central assistance under the Urban Challenge Fund, allowing urban local bodies across the state to undertake projects worth approximately Rs 25,900 crore.
Under the funding pattern of the scheme, 25 per cent of the project cost is to be borne by the central government, another 25 per cent by the state government, while the remaining 50 per cent is to be financed through municipal bonds, loans or public-private partnerships.
For the six projects in Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation will receive Rs 679.95 crore each from the central government and the state government.
The balance amount will be financed through loans to be raised by the municipal corporation.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said: “The approval under the Urban Challenge Fund would further strengthen Gujarat’s vision of citizen-centric, technology-based and sustainable urban development under his leadership.”
The state government also said the projects would contribute towards making Ahmedabad a smarter, cleaner and more resilient city with infrastructure aligned to future urban requirements.
–IANS
mys/uk