AMRUT 2.0

AMRUT 2.0

Part of: Prelims and Mains GS-II: Governance

In News: Cabinet has approved the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) till 2025-26, with aim of making the cities ‘water secure’ and ‘self-sustainable’ through circular economy of water. 

This will be achieved by 

• Providing functional tap connections to all households, 
• Undertaking water source conservation/ augmentation, 
• Rejuvenation of water bodies and wells, 
• Recycle/re r use of treated used water and rainwater harvesting

Key features:

• Mission will be monitored on a robust technology based portal. 
• The projects will be geo-tagged. 
• Cities will assess their water sources, consumption, future requirement and water losses through a city water balance plan. Based on this, city water action plans will be prepared which will be summed up as State Water Action Plan and will be approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban affairs. 
• Pey Jal Survekshan which will encourage competition among cities for benchmarking urban water services. 
• Mission will also encourage mobilization of market finance by mandating implementation of 10% of worth of projects in cities with population above ten lakh through Public Private Participation. 
• Mission will also bring in the leading technologies in water sector in world through technology sub-Mission. 
• Entrepreneurs/ start-ups will be encouraged in water eco-system. Information Education and Communication (IEC) campaign will be undertaken to spread awareness among masses about water conservation.
• Mission has a reform agenda focussed towards financial health and water security of ULBs. Meeting 20% of water demand through recycled water, reducing non-revenue water to less than 20% and rejuvenation of water bodies are major water related reforms. 
• Reforms on property tax, user charges and enhancing credit worthiness of ULBs are other important reforms. 

News Source: PIB