What Projects Did the Centre Approve Worth Rs 4645.60 Crore?
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Synopsis
In a significant move, the Centre has greenlit over Rs 4645.60 crore for various mitigation, recovery, and reconstruction projects across nine states. This initiative, led by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, aims to build a disaster-resilient India. Discover how these projects will impact local ecosystems and communities.
Key Takeaways
- High-Level Committee (HLC) sanctioned projects worth Rs 4645.60 crore.
- Initiatives will benefit nine states, enhancing disaster resilience.
- Funding split between Centre and states for effective implementation.
- Focus on wildlife conservation and urban flood management.
- Proactive measures in disaster-prone areas.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) A High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has sanctioned multiple mitigation, recovery, and reconstruction initiatives with a total financial allocation of Rs 4645.60 crore.
These initiatives are set to benefit nine states: Assam, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
“To fulfill Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for a disaster-resilient India, the Ministry of Home Affairs is extending all necessary support to states and union territories,” stated the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The committee, which includes the Finance Minister, Agriculture Minister, and Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, evaluated the proposal for financial assistance sourced from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
The HLC has green-lit the restoration and rejuvenation of wetlands plan for Assam, amounting to Rs 692.05 crore. This initiative aims to improve wetland capacity, enhance flood storage, boost flood resilience, safeguard the aquatic ecosystem, and promote economic growth through better fisheries infrastructure. The central government will contribute Rs 519.04 crore (75%) while the state will provide Rs 173.01 crore (25%). This plan covers restoration activities for 24 wetlands across nine districts in Assam, integrated within the Brahmaputra river system. The project aims to enhance water retention in wetlands/Beels, significantly reducing the risks of flooding and soil erosion.
This approval aligns with the Union Home Minister’s objective to develop wetlands for conservation and flood mitigation in Assam, with long-term plans to cover the entire length of the Brahmaputra in the state, making it a pilot project for a flood-proof Brahmaputra valley.
The HLC has also sanctioned the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (UFRMP) Phase-2 for eleven cities: Bhopal, Bhubhaneshwar, Guwahati, Jaipur, Kanpur, Patna, Raipur, Trivandrum, Vishakhapatnam, Indore, and Lucknow, with a total funding of Rs 2444.42 crore from the NDMF.
The selection of these cities is based on their population density and vulnerability to flooding, along with various physical, environmental, socio-economic, and hydro-meteorological factors. The programme is designed to assist states in mitigating urban flooding risks through standardized structural and non-structural interventions, with funding split 90% from the Centre and 10% from the states, per NDMF guidelines.
Furthermore, the HLC has approved a flood mitigation plan for Guwahati, involving Rs 200 crore, with Rs 180 crore sourced from the NDMF. This project encompasses both structural interventions—like interlinking water bodies and stormwater management—and non-structural measures, including flood early warning systems and capacity building.
Previously, the Central Government approved Urban Flood Risk Management Programmes totaling Rs 3075.65 crore for seven major metropolitan areas: Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune. Additionally, several mitigation projects have been authorized to address risks from landslides (Rs 1000 crore), GLOF (Rs 150 crore), forest fires (Rs 818.92 crore), lightning (Rs 186.78 crore), and drought (Rs 2022.16 crore).
The HLC has also granted financial support of Rs 1270.788 crore to Assam and Rs 260.56 crore to Kerala for recovery and reconstruction efforts following the flood and landslide incidents of 2022 and Wayanad Landslide-2024, respectively. These funds will facilitate recovery activities in both states.
Earlier, the Central Government had approved recovery and reconstruction plans for Uttarakhand (Rs 1658.17 crore), Sikkim (Rs 555.27 crore), and Himachal Pradesh (Rs 2006.40 crore) following various natural disasters.
This additional support is supplementary to the funds already allocated by the Centre to the States through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). In the financial year 2025-26, the Central Government has disbursed Rs 13578.80 crore to 27 States under SDRF and Rs 2024.04 crore to 12 States under NDRF.
Moreover, the Union Home Minister has approved an early release of Rs 24.40 crore, as the second installment of the Central SDRF share for Sikkim in 2025-26.
Additionally, the Central Government has allocated Rs 4412.50 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF) to 21 States and Rs 372.09 crore from the NDMF to nine states.
Point of View
The Centre's approval of these substantial funds reflects a proactive approach to disaster management. The focus on both mitigation and recovery signifies a commitment to not just respond to disasters, but to build resilience within communities. This holistic strategy is crucial for safeguarding vulnerable regions across the country.
NationPress
01/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total amount approved for the projects?
The Centre has approved a total of Rs 4645.60 crore for various mitigation, recovery, and reconstruction projects.
Which states will benefit from these projects?
The approved projects will benefit nine states: Assam, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh.
What specific projects were included?
The projects include the restoration and rejuvenation of wetlands in Assam and the Urban Flood Risk Management Programme for eleven cities.
How will the funding be allocated?
The funding will be shared between the Centre and the states, with specific percentages depending on the project, such as 90% from the Centre and 10% from the states for urban flood management.
What is the aim of these projects?
The projects aim to enhance disaster resilience, restore ecosystems, and improve urban flood management in vulnerable areas.
