The Hindu : Front Page : Urban projects: call for matching grants

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Thursday, Feb 01, 2007
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Urban projects: call for matching grants

Special Correspondent

Jaipal asks Mayors to ensure States' contribution for JNNURM projects

HYDERABAD: Union Urban Development Minister S. Jaipal Reddy has said that the Centre has sanctioned projects costing Rs.10,290 crores under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), and urged Mayors and Municipal Commissioners to ensure release of matching grants by States.

Presiding over one-day national conference on Networking of JNNURM cities -- Peer Experience and Reflective Learning (PEARL) Programme-- here on Wednesday, he said so far 61 of the 63 mission cities had submitted development plans and 41 of them signed urban reform packages. Of the 61 plans, 47 were appraised and 14 were in the process of scrutiny.

Various cities had submitted 403 project reports and 171 of them were appraised. Apart from Rs.10, 290 crores, Rs.900 crores was being provided to small and medium towns. "When these projects are sanctioned you may have to pursue with the State Governments for getting matching grants," he told the Mayors and Municipal Commissioners present. He lauded Andhra Pradesh for doing very well in implementing the urban development projects.

Mr. Reddy said top priority under JNNURM was being given to drinking water projects, followed by sewerage, storm water drain and public transport schemes. The Centre would give Rs.2,000-crore grant to the Hyderabad Metro Rail Project and Rs.4,000 crores for projects in Mumbai. The Centre was encouraging several cities to go in for Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), saying BRTS and MRTS were complementary to each other.

In his key-note address, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said JNNURM had given an impetus to urban infrastructure in the State. Round-the-clock supply of water was there for 5,000 houses in the city and it was proposed to enhance the number. He pointed out that laying new pipelines was a costly initiative.

He said while migration of rural people to the urban areas was treated as taboo earlier, it was now realised that the phenomenon was essential for wholesome economic development.

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