Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) addresses infrastructure development in Amritsar, acknowledging that urban development falls under the purview of states and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The Ministry provides programmatic support through flagship missions and schemes. As of July 11, 2025, Amritsar has ongoing and completed projects under the Smart Cities Mission (SCM). The Government of India has also launched the PMeBus Sewa Scheme and initiated National Highway Development Projects to improve connectivity and enhance the travel experience for tourists.
Key Points / Main Content:
Urban Development Responsibilities:
* Urban development is primarily the responsibility of states and ULBs, according to Article 243W of the Constitution.
MoHUA Support:
* MoHUA provides support to states/UTs through flagship Missions/Programmes like AMRUT, SBMU, SCM, PMAYU, and Urban Transport.
* The Central Government approves State Plans and provides Central Assistance (CA) through these schemes.
* Project selection, design, approval, and execution are managed by the States/UTs and cities/districts.
Smart Cities Mission (SCM) in Amritsar:
* Amritsar has undertaken 44 projects under SCM, totaling ₹1,911 crore, including road projects.
* 41 projects, amounting to ₹1,800 crore, have been completed.
* For Smart Mobility, 9 projects worth ₹244 crore have been initiated, with 8 projects (₹197 crore) completed.
PMeBus Sewa Scheme:
* Launched on August 16, 2023, to deploy 10,000 electric buses via a PPP model.
* Central Assistance (CA) provided on a per-km basis for 10 years, plus one-time CA for associated infrastructure.
* Punjab has been sanctioned 347 ebuses, including 100 for Amritsar.
* ₹18.06 Cr released to Punjab (₹5.05 Cr for Amritsar) for infrastructure development.
National Highway Development Projects:
* Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is undertaking projects to improve travel to Amritsar.
* Projects include the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway (with a spur for Amritsar), Amritsar Bypass, Amritsar-Ramdas corridor, Amritsar-Una Corridor and Beas-Batala-Dera Baba Nanak corridor.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Union Territories (UTs):
* Impact: Responsible for selecting, designing, approving, and executing urban development projects within their jurisdictions with programmatic support from MoHUA.
* Action Required: Develop and submit State Plans to MoHUA to secure Central Assistance for urban development projects.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
* Impact: Implement and manage urban development projects at the city/district level.
* Action Required: Execute projects efficiently and in accordance with the guidelines of the central schemes (e.g., SCM, PMeBus Sewa Scheme).
Citizens of Amritsar & Tourists:
* Impact: Benefit from improved urban infrastructure, enhanced mobility, and better travel experiences, especially through the development of roads and the introduction of electric buses.
* Action Required: Utilize the improved infrastructure and provide feedback to local authorities for continuous improvement.
Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH):
* Impact: Responsible for the planning and execution of National Highway Development Projects in and around Amritsar to improve connectivity and accessibility.
* Action Required: Continue the timely execution of ongoing projects and plan for future projects to enhance connectivity to Amritsar.
Key Entities Referenced
Amritsar, Punjab: A city in the state of Punjab, India, identified as a spiritual, cultural, and tourism hub.
Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport: The international airport serving the city of Amritsar, Punjab, mentioned in the context of infrastructure development plans.
Golden Temple: A prominent Sikh shrine located in Amritsar, Punjab, and a major pilgrimage and tourist destination.
Bharatmala: A centrally-sponsored and funded Road and Highways infrastructure program.
Smart Cities Mission: An urban renewal and retrofitting program by the Government of India with the mission to develop smart cities across the country.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): A Government of India initiative to establish infrastructure that ensures robust sewage networks and water supply for urban transformation.
Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBMU): A nationwide campaign in India for a cleaner urban environment.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAYU): An affordable housing scheme by the Government of India to provide housing for all in urban areas.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 787
TO BE ANSWERED ON JULY 24, 2025
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN AMRITSAR CITY
NO. 787. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:
Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is going to develop Amritsar as a state-of-
the-art urban city with world-class road infrastructure, considering
its international significance as a spiritual, cultural,
and tourism hub, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government would sanction a dedicated
infrastructure development plan including construction of iconic
flyovers, elevated corridors and smart roads starting from Sri
Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport to the Golden Temple and
covering other major entry points and tourist zones, if so, the
details thereof;
(c) whether the Government would consider launching a special urban
transport corridor project for Amritsar under the Bharatmala or
Smart Cities initiatives; and
(d) if so, the details and timelines thereof and if not, whether the
Government would consider Amritsar’s long-standing demand for a
complete urban mobility and aesthetic revamp, if so, the details
thereof ?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)
(a) to (d) : As per the provisions of Article 243W of the Constitution, in
conjunction with the Seventh and Twelfth Schedules, matters relating
to urban development fall within the purview of states/ Urban Local
Bodies (ULBs). However, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA) provides programmatic support to the State/ Union
Territories (UTs) in their urban development agenda through its
flagship Missions/ Programmes viz. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and
Urban Transformation (AMRUT) & AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission-
Urban (SBM-U) & SBM-U 2.0, Smart Cities Mission (SCM), Pradhan
Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY—U) & PMAY-U 2.0, Urban Transport
(UT), etc.
…2/--2-
Through these Mission/ Schemes, the Central Government approves
the State Plans and provides the Central Assistance (CA) to the
States. The projects are selected, designed, approved and executed
by the States/ UTs and the cities/districts.
Under Smart City Mission (SCM), an area-based development approach
through retrofitting, redevelopment and greenfield development in 100
cities is followed. As on 11.07.2025, Amritsar has taken up a total of
44 projects, including road projects, amounting to ₹1,911 crore, under
the SCM. Out of these 41 projects amounting to ₹1800 crore have been
completed. For Smart Mobility, 9 projects worth ₹244 crore have been
taken up by Amritsar under SCM, of which 8 projects amounting to
₹197 crore have been completed.
Further, Government of India launched "PM-eBus Sewa Scheme" on
16th August 2023 with the aim to augment city bus operations by
deployment of 10,000 electric buses on PPP model. Central Assistance
(CA) on Per-km of bus operation for 10 years along with one-time CA
for development of Associated Infrastructure (i.e. Behind-the-Meter
power and bus depot infrastructure) is provided under the Scheme.
Under the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme, 347 e-buses have been sanctioned
for the State of Punjab including 100 e-buses for Amritsar and 1st
Tranche of ₹18.06 Cr. have been released to Punjab including ₹5.05 Cr
for Amritsar for the development of Associated Infrastructure.
Besides, keeping in view that Amritsar is one of the most prominent
cities of the country in terms of heritage, culture, and socio-religious
importance, Government of India has taken up several measures to
enhance the travel experience and improve convenience to tourists
traveling to Amritsar by roads.
Some of the important National Highway Development Projects taken
up and under implementation by Ministry of Road, Transport and
Highways (MoRTH) in and around Amritsar are Delhi-Amritsar-Katra
Expressway including Spur for Amritsar connectivity, Amritsar Bypass
(to facilitate movement of visitors to Attari-Wagah Border), Amritsar-
Ramdas corridor (to facilitate tourists visiting Kartarpur Sahib),
Amritsar-Una Corridor (connecting Amritsar to Anandpur Sahib) and
Beas-Batala-Dera Baba Nanak corridor (connecting Beas to Kartarpur
Sahib Corridor).
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