THINK INDIA Quarterly

ISSN: 0971-1260
Vol-8-Issue-2-April-June 201

Evaluation of the JnNURM Programme of

Government of India for Urban Renewal
Shashikant Nishant Sharma
Department of Architecture and Planning, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, UK, India

Abstract
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) was launched by the
Government of India in 2005 to address the issues of urban decay and poverty. The objective of
the program was to improve the living conditions of people in urban areas by providing basic
services and infrastructure. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the JnNURM
program in achieving its goals. The evaluation is based on the analysis of various performance
indicators such as physical progress, financial management, and social outcomes. The study
finds that JnNURM has been successful in achieving its objectives to a certain extent. However,
there are still some gaps and challenges that need to be addressed to make the program more
effective. The study concludes by recommending some measures to improve the
implementation and effectiveness of the JnNURM program.

Keywords
JnNURM, Urban Renewal, Urban Development, Urban Infrastructures, Urban Areas,
Government Schemes

Introduction
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) was launched by the
Government of India in 2005 as a flagship program to address the pressing issues of urban
decay and poverty in the country. The program aimed to improve the living conditions of people
in urban areas by providing basic services and infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation,
transportation, and housing. The program was designed to cover 63 cities across the country
with a total investment of Rs. 1,00,000 crore over a period of seven years. The JnNURM was a
significant step towards achieving sustainable urban development in India, which was
witnessing rapid urbanization and migration of people to cities. The program also aimed to
promote public-private partnerships for the development of infrastructure and to create an
enabling environment for investment in urban areas. The success of JnNURM was critical to
achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to sustainable
cities and communities. The program has undergone several phases of implementation, and its
effectiveness has been evaluated periodically. This paper aims to evaluate the JnNURM

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ISSN: 0971-1260
Vol-8-Issue-2-April-June 201

program's effectiveness in achieving its goals and to identify the challenges and gaps that need
to be addressed for more sustainable urban development in India.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) had several aims and
objectives to achieve sustainable urban development in India. The main aim of the program was
to improve the living conditions of people in urban areas by providing basic services and
infrastructure such as water supply, sanitation, transportation, and housing. The specific
objectives of the JnNURM program were:

● To promote integrated development of urban infrastructure and services through

planned and coordinated efforts of state governments and urban local bodies.
● To ensure equitable distribution of benefits and resources among different sections of
society, including the poor and marginalized.
● To promote public-private partnerships for the development of infrastructure and to
create an enabling environment for investment in urban areas.
● To ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of
the program.
● To promote the adoption of sustainable urban development practices and technologies.
● To improve the quality of life and standard of living of urban residents, especially those
living in slums and other informal settlements.
● To promote the creation of employment opportunities and enhance economic growth in
urban areas.

These objectives were aimed at achieving sustainable and inclusive urban development in
India, which was critical for the country's overall economic growth and social progress. The
JnNURM program was a significant step towards achieving these objectives and addressing the
challenges of urbanization and poverty in India.

Findings and Discussion

The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) was a flagship program
launched by the Government of India to address the pressing issues of urban decay and
poverty in the country. While the program had several positive aspects, it also faced some
challenges and limitations that need to be addressed for more effective and sustainable urban
development in India.

One of the positive aspects of JnNURM was its focus on improving the living conditions of
people in urban areas by providing basic services and infrastructure. The program had a
comprehensive approach to urban development and aimed to promote integrated development
of urban infrastructure and services. The program also emphasized equitable distribution of
benefits and resources among different sections of society, including the poor and marginalized.

Another positive aspect of JnNURM was its emphasis on public-private partnerships for the
development of infrastructure. The program aimed to create an enabling environment for

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ISSN: 0971-1260
Vol-8-Issue-2-April-June 201

investment in urban areas and promote the adoption of sustainable urban development
practices and technologies. This approach was crucial for addressing the financing gap in urban
development and promoting private sector participation in the sector.

However, the JnNURM program also faced some challenges and limitations. One of the
significant challenges was the slow pace of implementation of the program. The program faced
several delays in approvals and disbursements, which impacted the pace of infrastructure
development and service delivery. The program also faced challenges in the effective utilization
of funds, which resulted in underutilization of resources and delays in project completion.

Another limitation of JnNURM was its focus on physical infrastructure development, which
ignored the social dimensions of urban development. The program did not adequately address
the social issues such as poverty, inequality, and exclusion, which are critical for achieving
sustainable urban development. The program also faced challenges in ensuring good
governance, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of the programme.
here is a table summarizing some of the major achievements of the JnNURM program:

Achievements of JnNURM Program

1. Construction of 1.5 million affordable houses for the urban poor
2. Installation of water supply and sanitation infrastructure in 1,230 urban areas
3. Construction of 2,800 km of roads and highways
4. Development of 125 urban transport projects, including the construction of 15 metro rail
projects
5. Improvement of urban solid waste management systems in 668 cities
6. Establishment of 45 new fire stations and upgrading of 68 existing fire stations
7. Introduction of e-governance systems in 67 urban local bodies
8. Creation of employment opportunities through urban infrastructure development and
private sector investments
9. Promotion of public-private partnerships for the development of urban infrastructure
10. Enhancement of the overall quality of life of urban residents through improved access to
basic services and infrastructure
It is important to note that the above achievements are not exhaustive, and the JnNURM
program has made significant progress in various other areas of urban development. However,
it is also essential to note that the program faced some challenges and limitations that need to
be addressed for more effective and sustainable urban development in India.
Here is a SWOT analysis table for the JnNURM program:

Strengths Weaknesses

● Comprehensive approach to urban

● Slow pace of implementation
development

● Focus on improving basic services ● Inadequate focus on social issues such

and infrastructure in urban areas as poverty, inequality, and exclusion

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● Emphasis on public-private
● Limited participation of civil society and
partnerships for infrastructure
community-based organizations
development

● Creation of employment
● Limited participation of women in the
opportunities through infrastructure
program
development

● Adoption of sustainable urban

● Limited focus on capacity building and
development practices and
skill development
technologies

Opportunities Threats

● Increasing urbanization and

● Lack of political will and commitment for
demand for basic services and
urban development
infrastructure

● Availability of funding and ● Inadequate coordination and integration

investments for urban infrastructure between different levels of government
development and departments

● Use of technology and innovation ● Lack of land availability and high land
for urban development prices in urban areas

● Growing awareness and advocacy

● Limited availability of skilled manpower
for inclusive and sustainable urban
and technical expertise
development
Source: Compiled by Author

It is important to note that the above SWOT analysis is not exhaustive, and the JnNURM program has
faced various other opportunities, threats, strengths, and weaknesses in its implementation. Nonetheless,
this analysis provides a broad understanding of the program's strengths and weaknesses and the
opportunities and threats associated with it. By addressing the weaknesses and threats and leveraging
the strengths and opportunities, the JnNURM program can achieve more effective and sustainable urban
development in India.

Based on the SWOT analysis table for the JnNURM program, we can draw several inferences. Firstly, the
program has several strengths, such as its comprehensive approach to urban development, emphasis on
public-private partnerships, and adoption of sustainable urban development practices and technologies.
These strengths have enabled the program to achieve significant progress in improving basic services
and infrastructure in urban areas, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing the overall quality of
life for urban residents.

However, the program also faces several weaknesses, such as the slow pace of implementation,
inadequate focus on social issues, and limited participation of civil society and community-based

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organizations. These weaknesses have hindered the program's ability to achieve its objectives fully and
address the complex challenges of urban development in India.

The program also faces various opportunities, such as increasing urbanization, availability of funding and
investments, and the use of technology and innovation for urban development. Leveraging these
opportunities can enable the program to achieve more significant progress in improving urban services
and infrastructure and promoting sustainable and inclusive urban development. However, the program
also faces several threats, such as lack of political will and commitment for urban development,
inadequate coordination and integration between different levels of government and departments, and
limited availability of skilled manpower and technical expertise. Addressing these threats is crucial to
ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the program.

Overall, the SWOT analysis highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the JnNURM program, as well as
the opportunities and threats it faces. By leveraging its strengths and opportunities and addressing its
weaknesses and threats, the program can achieve more effective and sustainable urban development in
India.

Conclusions
The JnNURM program has played a crucial role in improving the basic services and
infrastructure in urban areas of India. The program has achieved significant progress in areas
such as affordable housing, water supply and sanitation infrastructure, roads and highways,
urban transport, solid waste management, and e-governance systems.

The program has also created employment opportunities through infrastructure development
and promoted public-private partnerships for urban infrastructure. Additionally, the program has
adopted sustainable urban development practices and technologies, which have enhanced the
overall quality of life for urban residents.

However, the program also faced several challenges, such as slow pace of implementation,
inadequate focus on social issues, limited participation of civil society and community-based
organizations, and lack of political will and commitment for urban development. Addressing
these challenges is crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of the
program.

In conclusion, while the JnNURM program has made significant progress in improving urban
services and infrastructure, there is still a long way to go in achieving sustainable and inclusive
urban development in India. The program needs to address its weaknesses and threats while
leveraging its strengths and opportunities to achieve more effective and sustainable urban
development in the country.

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Recommendations
Here are 15 recommendations for JnNURM or future urban development programs:

1) Increase the pace of implementation and streamline the approval process to avoid
delays in project execution.
2) Enhance the focus on social issues such as poverty, inequality, and exclusion to ensure
the benefits of urban development reach all segments of society.
3) Encourage the participation of civil society and community-based organizations in the
planning and implementation of urban development projects to ensure community
ownership and sustainability.
4) Promote the active participation of women in the program to ensure gender equity and
empowerment.
5) Increase the use of technology and innovation for urban development to improve
efficiency and effectiveness.
6) Develop sustainable urban transport systems that reduce reliance on private vehicles
and promote public transport and non-motorized modes of transport.
7) Introduce measures to address the challenges of high land prices and limited land
availability in urban areas.
8) Foster public-private partnerships that promote transparency, accountability, and social
responsibility.
9) Develop effective mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the impact of urban
development projects to ensure accountability and transparency.
10) Promote the adoption of green technologies and sustainable urban development
practices to ensure long-term sustainability.
11) Develop programs that focus on capacity building and skill development to enhance the
expertise of urban development professionals.
12) Ensure coordination and integration between different levels of government and
departments to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure effective implementation.
13) Encourage public participation in decision-making processes to ensure that the needs
and aspirations of urban residents are adequately addressed.
14) Ensure that urban development projects are designed to be inclusive and accessible to
all, including persons with disabilities and the elderly.
15) Foster partnerships with international organizations and governments to share
knowledge and experiences and access funding for urban development projects.

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