Satellite towns are developed to alleviate the pressure on mega cities by decentralizing urban activities and providing infrastructure in peripheral areas. This approach aims to improve living conditions, reduce congestion, and enhance the overall urban environment. The concept has been successfully implemented in countries like the USA, France, and the UK, demonstrating the potential benefits of such developments.
Policies for Development
The Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Satellite Towns (UIDSST) was launched in 2009 in India. This scheme was designed to provide basic infrastructure in satellite towns surrounding major cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The policy envisioned the development of infrastructure projects, such as solid waste management and sewerage systems, to support the growing population and industrial activities in these towns.
Performance Assessment
Despite the potential benefits and the critical need for such developments, the performance of the UIDSST has been suboptimal. An audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) revealed that only 41.17% of the 17 sanctioned projects were completed six years after the scheme lapsed in March 2018. Key issues identified include poor monitoring by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), delays in fund utilization, and lack of impact assessments.
Key Challenges
1. Poor Monitoring: There was a lack of periodic monitoring and progress reporting, which hindered the timely completion of projects. 2. Delays in Fund Utilization: Several states failed to submit utilization certificates for the funds released, leading to financial mismanagement. 3. Implementation Delays: Land acquisition issues and bureaucratic delays significantly slowed down project initiation and completion. 4. Lack of Impact Assessment: The absence of thorough impact assessments made it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the projects and make necessary adjustments.
Specific Case Studies
• Sonipat, Haryana: A solid waste management project sanctioned in 2011 faced significant delays due to land acquisition issues. As of 2024, the project was only 40% complete, despite 100% financial progress. • Sanand, Gujarat: A sewerage system project with a proposed cost of Rs 35.09 crore showed only 60% physical progress, highlighting slow implementation.
Future Directions
To improve the efficacy of satellite town development schemes, it is essential to:
• Enhance monitoring mechanisms to ensure timely progress reporting and accountability. • Streamline the process for land acquisition to prevent delays. • Ensure states comply with fund utilization reporting to prevent financial discrepancies. • Conduct regular impact assessments to evaluate and optimize project outcomes.
Effective implementation of these measures can significantly improve the infrastructure in satellite towns, thereby reducing the burden on mega cities and improving the overall quality of urban life.
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