Parliament Question: Development of eco-friendly cities

O.I.H. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1027 ANSWERED ON 09/02/2026 DEVELOPMENT OF ECO-FRIENDLY CITIES 1027. SHRI GOVINDBHAI LALJIBHAI DHOLAKIA: Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state: (a) whether environment friendly urban development has become a necessity for cities to thrive in the 21st century; (b) whether the environmental impact in cities can be reduced by adopting sustainable practices such as green building construction, sustainable transportation, waste management and water conservation and the quality of life of residents be improved; and (c) the policy measures taken by Government with regard to environment friendly urban development and whether these policy measures are being implemented effectively in the development of cities? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU) (a) to (c): As per 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning including urban development and relevant bye-laws, is the function of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)/ Urban Development Authorities. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through schematic interventions/ advisories. Government recognises that environmental impacts in cities can be reduced and the quality of life of residents improved through adoption of sustainable practices such as green building construction, sustainable and public transportation systems, scientific solid waste management, water conservation, wastewater treatment and reuse, energy efficiency and increased urban green cover. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has published the Model Building Bye- Laws (MBBL), 2016 (https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/MBBL.pdf), wherein Chapter-10 deals with provisions for Green Buildings and Sustainability. Also, MoHUA has published Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014: https://mohua.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/URDPFI%20Guidelines%20Vol%20I(2).pdf, in which Chapter -6 deals with Sustainability Guidelines. Further, various Missions of the Government of India, such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation (AMRUT)/AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U), Metro Rail Projects, Smart Cities Mission and PM eBus Sewa, promote environment-friendly and sustainable urban development through measures including expansion of sustainable urban transport systems such as metro rail and city bus services, promotion of electric mobility and non-motorised transport, strengthening of scientific solid waste management, sewage and wastewater treatment, reuse and water conservation, and development of climate-resilient infrastructure, urban green spaces, smart energy management and sustainable urban services. Under AMRUT, Non-motorised Urban Transport is one of the thrust areas of the AMRUT Mission that includes provision of pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, cycle tracks, parking spaces etc promoting environmental friendly development, so far, 348 projects worth ₹1,020.7 crore have been grounded of which works worth ₹983.16 crore have been physically completed. 430 km length of pedestrian/walkways and 43 km length of dedicated cycle track created. …2/--2- Further, a total of 889 sewerage and septage management projects amounting to ₹34,467 crore have been grounded. Through these projects, 4,843 MLD sewage treatment capacity has been created, & 1,437 MLD capacity has been developed for recycle/reuse enabling States/UTs in reducing environmental impact of untreated used water. Under AMRUT 2.0, 583 sewerage/septage projects worth ₹66117.69 crore have been approved by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) so far. Approved projects cover 6,649 MLD sewage treatment capacity (new/augmentation) of which 1,931 MLD sewage treatment capacity is for recycle/reuse. Development of green spaces and parks is another thrust area of AMRUT Mission, through 2,497 green spaces & parks projects completed under AMRUT, around 5,277 acre of permeable green space have been developed. Also, under AMRUT, 09 water body rejuvenation projects worth ₹71.29 crore taken up. Under AMRUT 2.0, rejuvenation of water bodies and wells is one of main components. So far, 3,016 water body rejuvenation projects worth ₹6,223.48 crore and 1,665 green spaces & park projects worth ₹1,117.48 crore have been approved by MoHUA. Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SSASCI) 2022-26 incentivizing reforms like Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), Creation of Sponge Cities, City Greens & Urban Forests, Rejuvenations of Existing Wells, Conservation and Rejuvenation of Urban Waterbodies, Inclusion of Green Building Initiatives in Building Bye-laws etc encouraging sustainable development. Incentives of approximately ₹11,000 Crore have been released to States/UTs under SSASCI 2022-25. *****