Executive Summary:
This document outlines the Indian government's initiatives to incorporate climate resilience into urban planning and infrastructure. It addresses issues like flooding and damage to critical systems during monsoon seasons, focusing on safeguarding vulnerable communities and utilizing technology for disaster response. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) provides support through various schemes, guidelines, and financial assistance to state governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Key Points / Main Content:
Urban Planning and Infrastructure:
* Urban planning is the responsibility of State Governments and ULBs, with the Government of India supplementing their efforts through schematic interventions and advisories.
* MoHUA provides financial and technical support to states to strengthen the Urban Planning ecosystem.
MoHUA Guidelines and Documents:
* MoHUA has published advisory guidelines for improved urban drainage and flood management, including:
* Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014.
* Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Urban Flooding.
* River Centric Urban Planning Guidelines in 2021.
* Guidance Document on Creation of Rain Water Harvesting Parks.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT):
* Under AMRUT, storm water drainage projects were admissible, resulting in the approval of 838 projects worth ₹3016.82 crore.
* 809 projects worth ₹2,401.38 crore have been completed, eliminating 3,759 water logging points.
* AMRUT 2.0 includes rejuvenation of water bodies, with 3,032 projects approved at a cost of ₹6,210.66 crore.
Geographic Information System (GIS) Based Master Plans:
* MoHUA is implementing a sub-scheme for GIS-based Master Plan formulation for AMRUT cities and Class II towns.
* Geo-databases are created using satellite images or drone technology.
* MoUHAsigned MOUs with National Remote Sensing Centre and Survey of India for geo database creation
Financial Strategies and Incentives:
* The Budget 2025-26 announced an Urban Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore to implement proposals for Cities as Growth Hubs, Creative Redevelopment of Cities, and Water and Sanitation.
* The fund finances up to 25% of bankable projects, requiring at least 50% funding from bonds, bank loans, and Public-Private Partnerships.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
* Impact: Responsible for maintaining drainage and sewerage systems and implementing urban planning initiatives.
* Action Required: Utilize MoHUA's guidelines, financial support, and technical assistance to improve urban infrastructure and climate resilience.
Vulnerable Communities:
* Impact: Aims to safeguard from climate-induced disasters, especially in informal settlements and flood-prone areas.
* Action Required: Benefit from improved infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and recovery efforts.
Private Sector:
* Impact: Encouraged to participate in building sustainable and climate-resilient urban infrastructure through partnerships and financial incentives.
* Action Required: Explore opportunities to invest in and develop sustainable urban projects, leveraging the Urban Challenge Fund and Public-Private Partnerships.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA): The Indian government ministry responsible for housing and urban development.
Constitution of India: The supreme law of India, which delineates responsibilities between the Union and State governments regarding urban planning.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs): Local governing bodies in urban areas responsible for maintaining drainage and sewerage systems.
Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014: Advisory guidelines published by MoHUA for improving urban drainage and flood management.
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Urban Flooding: A document published by MoHUA providing guidelines for managing urban flooding.
River Centric Urban Planning Guidelines in 2021: Guidelines published by MoHUA to enable cities in developing conjunctive water management approaches including nature-based solutions.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): A government scheme focused on urban infrastructure development, including storm water drainage projects.
Geographic Information System (GIS): Technology being utilized by MoHUA for Master Plan formulation for AMRUT Cities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.692
TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2025
CLIMATE-RESILIENT URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
NO. 692. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased
to state:
(a) the manner in which the Government is incorporating climate
resilience into urban planning and infrastructure development to
address recurring issues such as flooding, waterlogging and
damage to critical systems like roads, drainage and housing during
the monsoon season;
(b) the concrete steps being taken to safeguard vulnerable
communities, particularly those in informal settlements and flood-
prone areas, from the adverse impacts of climate-induced
disasters, ensuring their inclusion in disaster preparedness and
recovery efforts;
(c) the manner in which the Government is utilizing technology
such as early warning systems, real-time data monitoring and
innovative disaster response tools to strengthen urban resilience
and improve coordination during extreme weather events; and
(d) the financial strategies, incentives or partnerships the
Government is establishing to mobilize resources and encourage
private sector involvement in building sustainable and climate-
resilient urban infrastructure?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (d): As per 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban
planning falls under the purview of the State Governments and the
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ Urban Development Authorities at city
level, who are responsible for maintaining the drainage and sewerage
system. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States
through schematic interventions/ advisories. It provides financial and
technical support to the States to strengthen Urban Planning
ecosystem.
…2/--2-
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has published
the following documents/advisory guidelines for improving urban
drainage and flood management, viz.:
i. Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and
Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014:
https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines%
20Vol%20I(2).pdf
ii. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Urban Flooding
https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/SOP%20Urban%20floodi
ng_5%20May%202017.pdf
iii. River Centric Urban Planning Guidelines in 2021 to enable cities
in the development of conjunctive water management approaches
including nature-based solution
https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/RCUP%20Guidelines.pdf
iv. Guidance Document on Creation of Rain Water Harvesting Parks
https://mohua.gov.in/pdf/6566e1048ab41guidance-document-on-
rainwater-harvesting-parks-final.pdf
Under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT), storm water drainage was an admissible component, which
involved construction and improvement of drains/ storm water drains
in order to reduce and eliminate flooding. Under AMRUT, 838 Storm
Water Drainage projects worth ₹3016.82 crore were approved. As
reported by the States, 809 Storm Water Drainage projects worth
₹2,401.38 crore have been completed, which has resulted in
elimination of 3,759 water logging points.
Under AMRUT 2.0, rejuvenation of water bodies and wells is one
of the main components. The admissible elements under this include
harvesting the rainwater through storm water drains into water body
(which is not receiving sewage/ effluent). Under AMRUT 2.0, 3,032
water body rejuvenation projects worth ₹6,210.66 crore have been
approved so far.
MoHUA is also implementing a Sub-Scheme on “Formulation of
Geographic Information System (GIS) based Master Plan for AMRUT
Cities” under AMRUT. Under this sub-scheme, geo database is
created as per the Design and Standards documents published by
MoHUA. Further, under AMRUT 2.0, Sub Scheme on Formulation of
GIS based Master Plans has been launched for Class-II towns with the
population 50,000 - 99,999. Under this Sub-scheme the geo database
is created through Very High Resolution Satellite Image or Drone
…3/--3-
Technology as per Design & Standards documents published by
MoHUA. MoHUA has signed Memorandum of Understandings for
creation of geo database through satellite images with National
Remote Sensing Centre and through Drone technology with Survey of
India. The State Government can use the geo-spatial data for
management of urban floods also.
To give further boost to the urban infrastructure sector, in the
Budget 2025-26, Government has announced setting up of an Urban
Challenge Fund of ₹1 lakh crore to implement the proposals for ‘Cities
as Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative Redevelopment of Cities’ and ‘Water and
Sanitation’. This fund finances up to 25 per cent of the cost of
bankable projects with a stipulation that at least 50 per cent of the
cost is funded from bonds, bank loans, and Pubic Private Partnership.
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