India marks a significant milestone as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) completes 10 years since its launch on June 25, 2015. Introduced as a transformative initiative to improve the quality of life in urban areas, AMRUT has focused on delivering basic infrastructure and services—especially water supply, sewerage, urban mobility, and green spaces—to citizens across 500 cities and towns.
Over the past decade, AMRUT has redefined India’s urban development landscape. The Mission prioritized inclusive planning, targeting the urban poor with a strong focus on providing universal access to tap water and sewer connections. A notable feature was the allocation of up to 2.5% of project costs towards developing parks with amenities for children and the elderly, thereby enhancing the livability of cities.
A total of ₹77,640 crore worth of State Annual Action Plans (SAAPs) have been approved under AMRUT, with ₹35,990 crore committed as Central Assistance. Projects worth ₹79,401 crore have already been completed, and ₹72,656 crore has been expended. The Mission’s core areas—water supply, sewerage, septage management, stormwater drainage, non-motorized urban transport, and the development of green spaces—have brought about tangible change in urban India.
In the area of water supply, the Mission has facilitated the augmentation of water systems, treatment plants, universal metering, and the rejuvenation of water bodies. Special provisions have been made for difficult areas, including hilly and coastal regions. Similarly, sewerage projects have focused on underground networks, rehabilitation of old systems, and reuse of treated wastewater. Faecal sludge management and the mechanical cleaning of septic tanks and sewers have also been addressed to improve sanitation outcomes.
Stormwater drainage projects have reduced urban flooding, while the urban transport component supported the development of footpaths, ferry services, cycle tracks, and multi-level parking. Capacity-building programs have strengthened both institutional and individual capabilities within Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), enabling better governance and service delivery.
Building on the foundation of AMRUT, the government launched AMRUT 2.0 on October 1, 2021. The expanded version covers all ULBs across the country and aims to ensure water security and self-reliance. It seeks universal coverage of sewerage and septage management in the original AMRUT cities, with a total indicative outlay of ₹2.99 lakh crore, including a Central share of ₹76,760 crore over five years.
Under AMRUT 2.0, 3,568 water supply projects worth ₹1,14,220.62 crore have been approved, including 181 lakh new tap connections and 10,647 MLD of water treatment capacity. Additionally, 1,487 projects have been equipped with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology for efficient monitoring.
In the sewerage and septage sector, 592 projects worth ₹67,607.67 crore have been approved, adding over 67.11 lakh new sewer connections and 6,739 MLD of sewage treatment capacity. Innovation has also been a key pillar, with the Technology Sub-Mission under AMRUT 2.0 shortlisting 120 start-ups for pilot projects across 82 cities.
Together, AMRUT and AMRUT 2.0 have sanctioned 14,828 projects worth ₹2,73,649 crore, of which works worth ₹1,12,368 crore have been physically completed. The total Central Assistance allocated is ₹1,02,786 crore, with ₹47,625 crore already disbursed. Over 2.03 crore households have been provided with tap water connections and 1.5 crore with sewerage connections. Additionally, 544 water bodies covering 9,511 acres have been rejuvenated.
Innovative initiatives like ‘AMRUT Mitra’ have engaged over 10,000 women from Self-Help Groups in monitoring and awareness activities. The ‘Drink from Tap’ initiative has seen 381 projects worth ₹23,490 crore sanctioned, likely to benefit 8 lakh households. More than 90,000 individuals—including contractors, plant operators, plumbers, youth, and officials—have been trained to support capacity-building across states.
As AMRUT completes a decade, it represents a paradigm shift in India’s urban development narrative—one that combines infrastructure growth with inclusivity, sustainability, and improved quality of life. With its strong foundation and the launch of AMRUT 2.0, the Mission continues to pave the way for resilient, future-ready cities that cater to the needs of all citizens.
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