10 Years of AMRUT: Transforming Urban India

India celebrates 10 years of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), launched on June 25, 2015, as a flagship scheme to improve urban living standards by ensuring water supply, sewerage, green spaces, and urban mobility. With more than 2 crore tap connections, 1.5 crore sewer links, and ₹2.73 lakh crore worth of projects sanctioned, AMRUT has become a cornerstone of India’s urban transformation story.

Why in News?

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) marked a decade of AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 on June 25, 2025, showcasing key milestones and outcomes in improving water supply, sanitation, stormwater drainage, and urban mobility across Indian cities. The scheme’s success demonstrates India’s progress towards sustainable and inclusive urban development.

Objectives of AMRUT

• Provide tap water and sewerage connections to every urban household.
• Create green spaces and parks to enhance livability.
• Promote non-motorized transport and reduce urban pollution.
• Empower Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) through reforms and capacity building.

Achievements (2015–2025)

Water Supply

• 2.03 crore tap connections provided.
• 3,568 projects worth ₹1.14 lakh crore approved under AMRUT 2.0.
• 10,647 MLD Water Treatment Plant (WTP) capacity sanctioned.
• SCADA technology adopted in 1,487 projects for real-time monitoring.

Sewerage & Septage Management

• 1.50 crore sewer connections achieved.
• 592 projects worth ₹67,607 crore approved under AMRUT 2.0.
• 6,739 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) capacity approved.
• Use of Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) and decentralized networks promoted.

Energy Efficiency

• 99 lakh LED streetlights installed.
• Annual savings: 666 crore kWh and reduction of 46 lakh tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Green Spaces

• Parks with child- and elderly-friendly features in cities.
• 544 water bodies rejuvenated under AMRUT, covering 9,511 acres.
• Additional 3,032 water bodies approved under AMRUT 2.0 for rejuvenation.

Urban Mobility

• Facilities for non-motorized transport (walkways, cycle paths, BRTS).
• Focus on ferry vessels, footbridges, and multi-level parking.

Financing & Capacity Building

• ₹4,984 crore raised by 13 ULBs via municipal bonds.
• Over 90,000 personnel trained including plumbers, plant operators, and officials.
• Introduction of Technology Sub-Mission and support to 120 start-ups for urban innovation.

AMRUT 2.0 Highlights (Launched October 1, 2021):

• Covers all ULBs, aims for universal water and sewerage coverage.
• Outlay: ₹2.99 lakh crore (₹76,760 crore Central share).
• Promotes water reuse, recycling, and sustainable resource use via initiatives like “Jal Hi AMRIT”.