Naidu reviews urban scheme implementation

NEW DELHI January 6: Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today reviewed the implementation of various urban schemes and directed senior officials to visit states more regularly to assist them in effective execution of new urban missions launched in 2015. Naidu asked UD Secretary to take up with states and ensure timely transfer of resources to the ULBs. DDA was asked to focus on enhancing quality of construction to meet the expectation of buyers. DDA Vice-Chairman explained the measures being taken in this regard. The minister desired the senior officials to be thoroughly conversant with all the schemes of the ministry to be able to take up comprehensive review of their implementation with the states and Urban Local Bodies. Naidu reviewed implementation of Smart City Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), Swachh Bharat Mission, Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), Prime Minister's Awas Yojana (Urban) and capacity building of urban local bodies, according to a release. Naidu said that the year 2015 marked a landmark in urban development sector with the launch of new mission and 2016 marks the beginning of implementation challenges with the Central and State Governments and urban local bodies required to "walk the talk" together. After reviewing the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission in urban areas, Naidu said that he will write to all the Chief Ministers inviting their attention toward the need for monitoring at the highest level in the state. He was informed by the concerned officials that as against the target of construction of 25 lakh household toilets by March 2016, work has commenced on construction of over 20 lakh toilets of which construction of 8.30 lakh toilets has so far been completed and the target is likely to be met, the release stated. Naidu directed the officials to focus on capacity building of ULBs for effective implementation of new urban development schemes. Setting up of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) under Smart City Mission was also discussed in the meeting. It was clarified that SPVs are meant for a focused and timely implementation of smart city plans and would in no way encroach on the powers and authority of urban local bodies. Naidu desired DMRC, National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) and DDA to set up skill development centres in respective domains for the benefit of the youth, the release added. -PTI