Second Phase of Urban Environment Improvement Programme in Punjab

The Urban Environment Improvement Programme (UEIP) is a flagship initiative of the Government of Punjab aimed at improving the quality of urban life by upgrading basic infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, and environmental management in towns and cities across the state. Following the success of the first phase, the state launched the Second Phase of the UEIP to extend these benefits more comprehensively to all 167 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Punjab.

Background

Punjab’s rapid urbanisation has placed significant pressure on its municipal infrastructure, resulting in challenges such as water scarcity, inadequate sewerage, and waste-management deficiencies. The first phase of the UEIP, initiated earlier in the decade, addressed these issues through targeted investment in civic amenities, but growing urban demand required further expansion.
In response, the second phase of the UEIP was officially launched on 24 October 2020 by the then Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, under the state’s broader commitment to sustainable urban development and improved environmental health.

Objectives

The Second Phase of the UEIP was designed to achieve the following objectives:

• To upgrade urban infrastructure, including roads, sewerage, drainage, and solid waste management.
• To introduce canal-based water supply systems in Punjab’s four largest cities — Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, and Patiala.
• To improve urban sanitation and environmental quality, with specific projects aimed at cleaning polluted water bodies such as Budha Nullah in Ludhiana.
• To enhance municipal governance capacity, enabling ULBs to effectively plan and maintain urban services.
• To stimulate economic recovery in urban centres, particularly after the economic disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Project Scope and Investment

The UEIP (Phase II) was allocated a total investment of approximately ₹11,000 crore, making it one of the largest urban improvement initiatives undertaken by the Punjab government. Of this, about ₹4,000 crore was earmarked for water supply and sewerage projects, while other major components included drainage rehabilitation, solid waste management, and urban beautification.
Key highlights of investment allocation include:

• Canal-based water supply projects: Implemented in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala to ensure a sustainable and safe drinking water supply by replacing depleting groundwater sources.
• Budha Nullah Rejuvenation Project: A ₹650-crore sub-project aimed at cleaning and restoring the highly polluted Budha Nullah in Ludhiana.
• Urban Roads and Drainage: Funds dedicated to improving street networks, stormwater drainage, and flood-prevention measures in low-lying urban areas.
• Municipal Solid Waste Management: Support for segregation, collection, and scientific disposal of waste in all ULBs.

Implementation Framework

The UEIP Phase II is implemented under the supervision of the Department of Local Government, Punjab, in coordination with the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) and Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PIDB).
Key implementation features include:

• City-level project planning: Each ULB is responsible for identifying local priority projects in line with the state’s UEIP guidelines.
• Centralised monitoring: A state-level committee monitors physical and financial progress to ensure transparency and timely execution.
• Public participation: Citizen feedback and involvement were encouraged through local consultations, particularly for sanitation and waste-management initiatives.
• Convergence with other schemes: UEIP projects are integrated with centrally sponsored schemes such as AMRUT, Smart Cities Mission, and the Swachh Bharat Mission to maximise funding efficiency.

Major Initiatives under Phase II

1. Canal-Based Water Supply Projects:
   • Aim to provide treated surface water from canals instead of depleting groundwater sources.
   • These systems ensure continuous potable water supply and reduced dependency on deep borewells.
2. Sewerage and Drainage Improvement:
   • Installation and upgradation of sewer networks and treatment plants in towns across Punjab.
   • Designed to prevent overflow, groundwater contamination, and urban flooding.
3. Wastewater Rejuvenation Projects:
   • The Budha Nullah project serves as a model for urban river and drain restoration, combining waste-treatment technology with ecological rejuvenation.
4. Solid Waste Management:
   • Development of segregation, composting, and recycling facilities in major cities.
   • Introduction of door-to-door waste collection and awareness drives for community participation.
5. Urban Roads and Beautification:
   • Rehabilitation of urban roads, construction of footpaths, and installation of street lighting to improve mobility and urban aesthetics.
6. Economic Revitalisation:
   • The UEIP launch was accompanied by an Economic Support Scheme that included a one-time settlement (OTS) for pending VAT assessments to support small and medium businesses affected by the pandemic.

Expected Outcomes

The Second Phase of the UEIP is expected to yield wide-ranging socio-economic and environmental benefits, including:

• Enhanced quality of life in cities through reliable water supply, cleaner surroundings, and better civic amenities.
• Reduction in pollution levels in urban rivers and drains.
• Strengthening of municipal institutions through capacity building and decentralised governance.
• Improvement in public health outcomes due to better sanitation and waste management.
• Sustainable water resource management through canal-based supply systems that conserve groundwater.

Challenges

Despite its ambitious scope, the programme faces challenges such as:

• Coordination across multiple departments and agencies.
• Timely release and utilisation of funds.
• Technical challenges in integrating canal-based systems with existing infrastructure.
• Maintenance and sustainability of new infrastructure by ULBs.
• Ensuring equitable benefits for smaller towns alongside major cities.

Progress and Monitoring

Following its launch, detailed project reports (DPRs) for water supply and drainage projects were prepared, with initial construction works commencing in 2021–2022. The government also prioritised the Budha Nullah rejuvenation as a model for environmental improvement.
Regular monitoring at the state level ensures that projects adhere to quality standards and that ULBs maintain accountability for implementation.