Transformative impact of JNNURM in urban India
13In 2005, Ministry of Urban Development launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The Mission was launched with an aim to encourage urban level reforms and fast track planned infrastructure development of identified "mission cities". These cities were selected on the basis of population or them being State capitals, or having certain additional features.
Under JNNURM, financial assistance is being provided to each of the cities for specific project planning, development and implementation for projects of water supply, sewerage, drainage, solid waste, urban transport, urban renewal, heritage preservation and slum improvement. However, amongst all other infrastructure sectors, urban transport demanded special consideration, as indicated by the extraordinary growth in urban traffic conditions, depleting public transport services and the impact of road pollution to the urban environment.
JNNURM has been instrumental in rejuvenating the urban space in the country. Post independence, JNNURM has been the country's first national flagship programme of this nature and size for the urban sector. It is for the first time that the central government is providing assistance of this kind for what is classified as a State subject as per the Constitution. One of the Mission's objective is to break the vicious circle of poor cost recovery - low investment - poor service delivery. JNNURM has managed to provide a strong impetus to investments in urban sector and incentivized cities to develop sustainable investment frameworks through service delivery reform and cost recovery of services provided.
The Mission has definitely helped raise awareness and concern about problems of urban growth and management. Urban matters are talked about more widely and more frequently these days than before. Getting on to the JNNURM bandwagon, has become both important and useful for the State and City officials as well as political leaders. For the first time the largesse from the Centre is claimed to be contingent upon various reforms. Mission seeks a different kind of identity, because it is contingent on reforms. The mandatory reforms also provide for a public disclosure law and a community participation law to institutionalize transparency and enable citizen's participation.
In urban centres, JNNURM has led to improved quality of life of the populace as better connectivity within the city and improved transport infrastructure has helped in reducing traffic congestion, improved accessibility and safe mobility along with safe and comfortable circulation in city by affordable public transport for all. In many parts of the country, JNNURM has led to beautification of transport corridors in city which would increase the visual beauty and decrease visual pollution.
Direct project benefits include expanding sewage collection, treatment, and sanitation to obtain a more hygienic environment. The JNNURM projects have also increased the city's capacity to handle rainwater through better drainage. The project improved drinking water quality by protecting groundwater and surface water sources. The Mission promotes a sound solid waste management system in which disposal is being conducted safely and hygienically, preventing blockage of drains. JNNURM has led to improved environment and public health in the project areas while promoting sustainable urban development. Without the project, environmental quality and public health will remain the same or worsen with a rapidly increasing population and associated unmanaged domestic wastes. Development of water, sanitation, and solid waste management infrastructure under this project aimed to enhance the overall urban environmental quality and public health of Indian cities and upgrade the parameters of quality of life like housing, natural environment, health, recreation and leisure time, social belonging, community life, public services and transport which includes water and other basic services which provides mobility and connectivity, and leads to upgrading quality of life of the citizen of India.