Question : Study by NIUA on Infrastructure in Cities

Will the Minister of URBAN DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has done any assessment regarding lack of infrastructure facilities in small cities of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons thereof;

(c) whether the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has recently conducted a study on the state of India''s small towns;

(d) if so, the details along with ratio of slums in big and small cities; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to ensure growth of all the small towns in the country with adequate infrastructure?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)

(a) & (b): The High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) constituted in 2012 for estimating the investment requirements for Urban Infrastructure Services had done the assessment for service deficiency in urban centres of the country.
(c): Yes, Madam. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has recently conducted a study on the state of India''s small towns.
(d): The research on small towns, those below 100,000 population, was conducted at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), New Delhi, on behalf of Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) under Phase III of the HUDCO Chair project during the period 2015-16. The publication titled “Towns of India: Demography, Economy and Social Structures, and the Status of Basic Infrastructure and Housing” is a part of the three-year study which looks at the various size classes of urban settlements in India.

The ratio of slums in big and small cities as stated in the report is as follows:
Table: Distribution of Slum Population Across Various Size Class Categories: 2011
<pre>
Size Class of Cities/Towns
Slum Population Distribution (%)
Class I 73.5
Class II 11.8
Class III 10.4
Class IV 3.4
Class V 0.8
Class VI 0.0
</pre>

(e): Urban Development is state subject. Government of India supports the efforts of states by providing technical & financial assistance through its various schemes & programmes. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is for providing basic services (e.g. water supply, sewerage, urban transport) to all cities having a population of more than one lakh. The thrust area of the Mission are: i. Water Supply, ii. Sewerage facilities and septage management, iii. Storm Water drains to reduce flooding, iv. Pedestrian, non-motorized and public transport facilities, parking spaces, and v. Enhancing amenity value of cities by creating and upgrading green spaces, parks and recreation centers, especially for children.

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