Economic Survey notes significant progress in sanitation, water supply

The Economic Survey has noted significant strides in urban sanitation and water supply with tap water coverage increasing to 70% and sewerage coverage rising to 62% in Indian cities.

The Survey, tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (January 31, 2025), said the AMRUT scheme, launched in 2015 to focus on improving urban water management in 500 cities, had created or augmented water treatment capacity of 4,649 million litres per day and developed 2,439 parks, adding 5,070 acres of green space.

Economic Survey 2024-25 LIVE

In 2021, AMRUT 2.0 was introduced to expand coverage to all statutory towns and cities, with an allocation of ₹2.77 lakh crore during FY22 to FY26. This phase so far had initiated 8,923 projects worth ₹1.89 lakh crore. AMRUT 2.0 actively involves Self-Help Groups and promotes innovative technologies.

The Survey also noted how the Google toilet locator, which allows users to upload information about community and public toilets in their cities on Google Maps, has mapped 67,407 toilets across 3,326 cities till date, including those in hospitals, malls, bus stands, railway stations, metro stations, markets, and more.

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U), launched in 2015, has sanctioned 1.18 crore houses, with 89 lakh completed as of November 2024. PMAY-U 2.0 aims to assist 1 crore more households, while the Smart Cities Mission has 7,479 projects worth ₹1.50 lakh crore completed, including 35,000+ affordable housing units, 1,700 km of smart roads, and 16 lakh LED streetlights.

Significant strides

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the Survey reaffirmed the significant strides taken in strengthening urban infrastructure.

“The expansion of metro rail networks crossing the 1000 km of network length has greatly enhanced urban mobility, making cities more accessible and efficient. Additionally, the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have played a transformative role in improving sanitation and cleanliness across the country. These efforts are key to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat, ensuring modern, sustainable, and well-connected infrastructure for every citizen,” he said in a statement.

With a continued focus on smart urban planning, enhanced public transportation, and sustainable development, the government remains committed to building a future-ready infrastructure ecosystem that supports economic growth and improves the quality of life for all, he added.