Elucidate in brief the Urban Policies of India adopted since 1990’s with critical appreciation.

Since the 1990s, India has implemented various urban policies to address the challenges and opportunities posed by rapid urbanization. Some of the key urban policies adopted during this period are as follows:-

1. National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) 2006:-

   • The NUTP aimed to improve urban transport infrastructure and promote sustainable and efficient urban mobility.
   • It encouraged the development of public transport systems, non-motorized transport facilities, and integrated urban transport planning.
   • Critical Appreciation: While the policy emphasized sustainable transport, implementation challenges, and funding constraints have hindered its full realization in many cities.

2. Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) 2005-2014:-

   • JNNURM was a flagship program aimed at modernizing and upgrading urban infrastructure in cities.
   • It focused on areas such as housing, water supply, sanitation, and urban transport, with the goal of improving the quality of life for urban residents.
   • Critical Appreciation: JNNURM faced issues of delays in project approvals, inadequate funding, and concerns about the sustainability of the assets created under the scheme.

3. Smart Cities Mission 2015:-

   • The Smart Cities Mission aimed to transform selected cities into technologically advanced, sustainable, and citizen-friendly urban centers.
   • It focused on implementing smart solutions for urban challenges, such as efficient transportation, waste management, and energy conservation.
   • Critical Appreciation: The Smart Cities Mission has led to improvements in certain areas, but questions have been raised about the exclusion of smaller cities and concerns about the financial sustainability of smart city projects.

4. AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) 2015:-

   • AMRUT aimed to improve basic infrastructure services in cities, with a focus on water supply, sanitation, and solid waste management.
   • It emphasized citizen participation in project planning and implementation.
   • Critical Appreciation: While AMRUT has made some progress in improving urban infrastructure, there are challenges in terms of capacity constraints at the municipal level and the need for greater citizen engagement.

5. RERA (Real Estate Regulation and Development Act) 2016:-

   • RERA aimed to regulate the real estate sector and protect the interests of homebuyers by promoting transparency and accountability in the industry.
   • It sought to address issues of project delays and promote fair practices in the real estate market.
   • Critical Appreciation: RERA has brought more transparency to the real estate sector, but its effectiveness varies across states, and some issues related to implementation persist.

Overall, India's urban policies since the 1990s have made significant efforts to address urban challenges and promote sustainable urban development. However, there are still gaps in implementation, resource allocation, and coordination between different levels of government. To achieve more effective outcomes, there is a need for a greater focus on capacity building, citizen participation, and integration of policies across different sectors of urban development.