New Delhi: The next phase of central assistance (seed funding) for states to take transformational projects under Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) of Rs 1 lakh crore will focus more to revive the main areas of cities and fix the infrastructure of heritage such as poor drainage, hygiene and polluted water bodies.Officials said that this funding will be focused on projects that have a transformative effect. He said that the Center would provide such financial AIDS to take 500–1,000 small cities as well as projects.Sources said that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has finalized the UCF scheme and is likely to be launched soon.On January 13, Toi reported that PM Narendra Modi has directed the ministry officials to focus more on facilities, facilities and better transport networks in those areas of those cities that naturally attract people and businesses rather than developing new cities.After the PM’s direction, the more thrust is now when there is a better framework for the transit-oriented development (TOD) for cities to carry forward intensive and planned development with the transport network, the sources said.Speaking at a CII-Organ, conference, Additional Secretary in the Ministry, D Thara said, “In UCF, we are looking at the revival of cities and fixing the infrastructure of heritage as a primary goal. We are not in a hurry of funds. We are clear that we cannot do very few things.He said, “Not about focusing, but is about to fix what is already present.Officials said that under UCF, Govt is also likely to provide seed funds for the development of new greenfield areas with good rail connectivity as future cities.In her budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitarman had announced the establishment of UCF to implement the proposals of ‘Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative Redemption of Cities’ and ‘Water and Sanitation’.
