Question : DRAINAGE SYSTEM

(a) the total number of cities having more than one million population in India;

(b) whether the Government intends to assist Municipal Corporations and Councils of the cities to lay underground drainage system;

(c) if so, whether a scheme on the lines of PURA (Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) would be formulated in order to augment urban amenities;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Tenth Five Year Plan has expressed the need to step up investment in sanitation and solid waste management; and

(f) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD )

(a): As per 2001 census, 35 cities in India are having more than 1 million population.

(b): Under the Mega City Scheme of Infrastructure Development, financial assistance is being provided through State level nodal agencies to assist Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to undertake sewerage and sanitation works in addition to other infrastructure projects in 5 Mega cities viz. Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai & Bangalore.

(c)&(d): There is a proposal to set up National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) for select city and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme (UIDSSMT) for other cities/towns to provide reform linked assistance for development of urban infrastructure including underground drainage system. Details of the scheme have not been finalized.

(e)&(f): Yes, Sir. During the Tenth Five Year Plan, the Scheme of Solid Waste Management & Drainage has been launched in 10 Selected Airfield Towns to prevent bird menace to defence aircrafts at a total estimated cost of Rs.99.34 crore. An outlay of Rs.2354.65 crore (Rs.1304.65 crore for IDSMT + Rs.1050.00 crore for Mega City Scheme) has been made for the Centrally Sponsored scheme of Integrated Development of Small & Medium Towns (IDSMT) and Scheme of Infrastructure Development of Mega City which provide for sewerage, construction and upgradation of Master Plan drains including storm water channels apart from other infrastructure projects.