Ranchi: The Centre has directed the Jharkhand government to submit proposals for utilizing a corpus of Rs 7,600 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) over the next four years to revamp its urban landscape.
Union Minister Reviews Urban Schemes
Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, reviewed various urban development schemes in the state on Friday and announced that the Centre would contribute Rs 1,900 crore as its share under the fund.
“The fund will be used to provide better urban amenities and infrastructure. There are around 80 different kinds of projects that can be taken up under this scheme, and the state can choose the projects it wants to work on,” Lal said after the meeting.
Evaluation Committee and Fund Allocation
He further stated that a dedicated committee would evaluate the state’s proposals on improving urban infrastructure, transforming cities into economic hubs, and enhancing living standards before releasing the funds.
Under the UCF blueprint, the Centre and the state will contribute 25% each (Rs 1,900 crore each), while the remaining 50% (Rs 3,800 crore) will be raised through market financing, taking the total pool for Jharkhand to Rs 7,600 crore. Nationally, the UCF holds a budget of Rs 4 lakh crore, with Rs 1 lakh crore each from the Centre and states, and Rs 2 lakh crore via external financing.
Identified Projects and Focus Areas
Sunil Kumar, secretary of the state urban development department, said multiple projects have already been identified. “Some of the areas that will be focused on include sewerage and drainage, water supply augmentation, and construction of market complexes across the state. There is also a plan for establishing Integrated Command Control Centres (ICCC) in a few major cities, like the existing one in Ranchi, which will be proposed under the UCF,” he said.
State Minister’s Appeal for Tailored Approach
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Urban Development & Housing Minister Sudivya Kumar urged the Union Minister to factor in the state’s distinct demographic and geographic requirements when allocating funds.
“Many schemes and policies implemented at a pan-India level may not be suitable for Jharkhand, as the state has different needs. I have requested the minister to send a team to conduct a survey of the needs and priorities of the state, and accordingly provide handholding so that the state can perform better,” the state minister said.
