Southern states lead urbanisation in the country

Rapid increase in urban population across India has indeed increased the housing demand and if one goes by the recent details furnished by the Minister of Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu in the Parliament, Southern states and union territories lead the urbanisation in the country surpasing the national average.

Four southern states, six Union Territories besides Gujarat, Goa, Haryana, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura have led the growth in urbanization. across India, Naidu said in reply to a question.

He informed that as against the national trend, urban population in the southern states increased by 21.70% in Kerala, 6.10% in undivided Andhra Pradesh, 4.70% in Karnataka and 4.40% in Tamil Nadu. The increase in respect of UTs has been-Daman & Diu (39.00%), Lakshadweep (33.60%), Dadra and Nagar-Haveli (23.80%), Chandigarh (7.50), Delhi (4.30%), Andaman & Nicobar Islands (5.10%). Puducherry reported an increase of only 1.70%.

Other states to have exceeded national average in urbanization included: Goa (22.40%), Sikkim (14.10%), Nagaland (10.70%), Haryana (6.0%), Gujarat (5.20%), Uttarakhand (4.50%), West Bengal (3.90%) and Punjab (3.60%).

Major states to have fallen below the national average in urban growth included: HP (only 0.20% increase in urban population),UP(0.50%), Bihar (0.80%), Assam (1.20%), Rajasthan (1.50%), Odisha (1.70%), Jharkhand (1.80%) and Maharashtra (2.80%).

In reply to another question, Venkaiah Naidu informed the Lok Sabha that Delhi was sanctioned 23 infrastructure projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) at a total cost of Rs. 6,649.55 cr out of which central assistance has been Rs.2,327.34 cr.

Govt is working on 100 smart cities: Naidu

M.Venkaiah Naidu

New Delhi: Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu today said that the government is working on the concept of ‘Smart City’ and the contours of implementing the project for developing/building 100 such cities. 

He said so while replying to a question raised by P.Kumar in the Lok Sabha during question hour. 

Naidu further said that all stakeholders will be consulted in the matter and this scheme was discussed at a recent meeting of Urban Development Ministers of States and Union Territories. He said that Parliament would be duly informed of the details of Smart Cities project after their finalization. 

Less patronage to JNNURM
 

Expressing concern over the lack of support from States and Union Territories on using the committed central assistance of Rs.12,397 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the minister said in a written reply to Rattan Lal Kataria, K.C Venugopal and P. Srinivasa Reddy, that the central assistance under JNNURM which was launched in December 2005 and closed by the previous government on March 31, 2014.

Under JNNURM, central government committed itself to provide a total assistance of Rs.46,787 Cr to states/UTs for taking up urban infrastructure/development projects. Release of central assistance was linked to implementation of reforms. States/UTs could avail only 73.50% of central assistance forfeiting Rs.12,397 Cr.

Delhi topped the list of under users having failed to avail central assistance of Rs.1,130 crore as against the committed assistance of Rs.2,327 crore under the component for improvement of infrastructure and other projects in 65 identified big cities. This amounted to only 49 per cent utilization of the committed central assistance. Other under performers included – Goa with only 25% utilization of central assistance, Bihar (39%), Kerala (39%), Mizoram (44%), Punjab (45%), Jharkhand (48%) and Meghalaya(50%).

He said, 668 small and medium towns have reported better utilization of JNNURM funds with an overall utilization of 76% of central assistance. 

FDI flow

Venkaiah Naidu informed Poonamben Maadam that Foreign Direct Investment of US $ 1295.05 million (Rs.7,924.85 cr) as equity had flown into various urban projects in the country during April-2013 – April, 2014. The beneficiary projects included construction of townships, housing, infrastructure development etc., spread across 22 states/Union Territories. Delhi topped the list of recipients of such FDI with an investment of US $ 565.97 million and followed by Chennai (US $ 220.84 million ), Mumbai (US $ 177.04 million) and Ahmedabad (US $ 131.77 million).

ASSOCHAM orgaises realty summit and awards in Delhi on July 18

With a view to discussing future reforms, growth strategies and investment opportunities in Real Estate sector, ASSOCHAM is organising "Real Estate India-Reforms Agenda for the New Government : 7th Summit-cum-Excellence Awards" on 18th July at Hotel Le Meridien in New Delhi at 10 a.m.
   
M Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of Urban Development & Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation with be the chief guest:while Anita Agnihotri, Secretary, Ministry of Urban Development and HUPA will be the guest of honour at the event.

There will also be presentation of awards to the selected companies for showing best practices in different fields of Real Estate sector.