Parliamentary Standing Committee Flags Implementation Gaps in AMRUT Schemes

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and its successor, AMRUT 2.0, were envisioned as flagship initiatives to ensure universal coverage of water supply and sewerage services in urban India. However, a recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee has brought to light significant implementation gaps that threaten the efficacy of these urban infrastructure projects.

The committee’s findings underscore a persistent challenge in India’s urban governance: the disconnect between policy design and ground-level execution. A primary bottleneck identified is the recurring issue of land acquisition. Delays in securing land for Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and other essential infrastructure have led to significant cost overruns and project stagnation. Furthermore, the report highlights the 'weak capacity' of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as a systemic failure. Many ULBs lack the technical expertise, financial autonomy, and administrative bandwidth required to manage complex, large-scale urban projects effectively.

Wastewater management, a core component of AMRUT 2.0, remains particularly vulnerable. Despite the national push for 'Water Secure Cities,' the committee noted that the slow pace of project implementation in this sector undermines the broader goal of environmental sustainability and public health. The reliance on state-level agencies often bypasses the constitutional mandate of the 74th Amendment, which seeks to empower ULBs as institutions of self-governance. Without addressing the structural weaknesses in municipal governance—such as the lack of professionalized cadre and inadequate revenue mobilization—the ambitious targets of AMRUT 2.0 may remain elusive.

For effective urban transformation, the committee suggests a shift toward capacity building for municipal functionaries and streamlining land acquisition processes through better inter-departmental coordination. Addressing these gaps is essential not only for the success of AMRUT but for the overall resilience of India’s rapidly urbanizing landscape.