Union Minister directs Goa to complete pending AMRUT projects, reviews urban development schemes
PANAJI
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar has agreed to consider Goa’s request for special assistance upto 50 per cent of the total Rs 652.61 cr Drink from Tap (DfT) scheme aimed at providing 24x7 water supply to the consumers across the State.
Khattar, who was in Goa on Monday, reviewed the comprehensive development plans of urban schemes of MoHUA such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT & AMRUT 2.0), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U & PMAY-U 2.0), Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban (SBM-U & SBM-U 2.0), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) and PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi).
During the meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant requested the Union Minister to consider special assistance of Rs 326.30 crore for 24x7 water supply under the DfT project that will include water source augmentation, infrastructure development, rehabilitation of existing network, pilot Drink-from-Tap projects including smart metering, IoT and SCADA-based monitoring systems to the State under AMRUT 2.0.
“The Union Minister has agreed to consider the request under the scheme,” the government said in a statement issued.
Given Goa’s unique urban challenges, particularly due to the significantly high volume of tourist inflow placing additional burden on civic infrastructure, the Chief Minister requested that the State be considered as a special case for enhanced and expedited support under both AMRUT 2.0 and SBM-U 2.0.
“The Union Minister has agreed and instructed the concerned official for necessary policy changes in the tourist States,” the statement added.
The Union Minister emphasised the need to develop, improve infrastructure and promote sustainable urbanisation through strategic planning and public-private partnerships.
He also advised the State to complete all pending works related to water supply (new/ service tap connections and new/ service sewer connections) under AMRUT; revision of action plan, expedite tendering work for toilets (community toilets, public toilets, aspirational toilets, urinals), Solid Waste Management, STP/ co-treatment facilities under SBM; submit proposals, and educate citizens about PMAY-U 2.0 to get benefits of affordable housing, etc.
Khattar also directed the State to submit a proposal for the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme. He also reviewed the progress under Smart Cities and DAY-NULM.
