Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and NIUA’s role in the mission…

Over the years, there has been a wide gap between the requirement and allocation of funds. The assistance provided by the Central government has been unevenly spread and has failed to bring about any noticeable improvement in urban infrastructure. Keeping in view the shortcomings in the existing programmes and the commitment given in the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA Government, the Central government has drawn up a comprehensive programme of urban renewal. 

In this strategy, a two-track approach has been envisaged. In the first prong of the strategy, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has been sanctioned to provide financial support of about Rs. 50,000 Crores to 63 cities for up gradation and improvement of infrastructure in a planned and integrated manner. The programme is phased over a period of seven years. The chosen cities comprise the State Capitals, cities with one million plus population and some selected cities of religious, tourist, cultural and heritage importance. It is expected that these cities will have a demonstration effect on others. 

In the second prong of the strategy, the need for other cities and towns, which are not included in the mission, would be addressed through another scheme of assistance known as ‘Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) and Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP).