HRIDAY Scheme (The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana)

Contents
  1. Overview
  2. Issues in the maintenance of heritage sites
  3. Scheme Statement
  4. Scheme Objectives
  5.  HRIDAY cities
  6. Official Website
  7. Components of the Scheme
  8. The procedure of the Implementation of the Project
  9. Preparation for the Project
  10. Appraisals for the Project
  11. Implementation of Project
  12. Monitoring Progress Of Projects Sanctioned  
  13. Frequently Asked Questions 

Overview

India is known for its culture, heritage and diversity. However, the cultural resources are not at their best, and there is so much more than can be done to improve and preserve them. On 21 January 2015 HRIDAY or National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana were launched. The aim was to develop the heritage enriched cities to their full potential. It is not only about sustaining and protecting a few monuments, but it is for the development of the entire city. The goal is to reach the full potential of the essential services, economy, livelihood of the communities, security, safety services, revive and strengthen them. 

The HRIDAY scheme offers an incredible chance for an integrated, comprehensive and sustainable development for these valuable tourist spots of India. This plan is about India’s step towards both development of the city as well as the conservation of heritage to achieve not only economic growth but urban planning as well. The key focus will be on improvising the skills, security, services, sanitization and livelihood.

Issues in the maintenance of heritage sites

 However, there are some issues in maintaining these places. There have been few past efforts and initiatives in different Indian heritage cities, but they still lacked some services. These types of areas are often neglected and crowded, plus most of them require essential services such as toilets, street lights, signboards, parking spot, water services and clean roads. It is hard to maintain these cities like that. For making them more attractive and sanitary a serious plan is necessary. 

Scheme Statement

 “Preserve and revitalize the soul of the heritage city to reflect the city’s unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative & secured environment. To undertake strategically and planned development of heritage cities aiming at the improvement in overall quality of life with a specific focus on sanitation, security, tourism, heritage revitalization and livelihoods retaining the city’s cultural identity.”

Scheme Objectives

The objective of this scheme was to protect and develop both the valuable cultural assets and the cities. Some of the crucial objectives are: 

  • Implementing, planning and designing the heritage sites.
  • Delivering every necessary service in the historic areas and infrastructures.
  • Rejuvenate and protect the famous tourist spots for better involvement of the people.
  • Document and grow the heritage assets register of the places for natural, ethnic, living and built infrastructure for planning, improving and delivering services in the sites.
  • Enhancing the essential services like toilet, clean water taps, street lights with updated technologies for better convenience of the tourists. 
  • Implementing and increasing local capacity for the inclusivity of the heritage-based industry.
  • Conserving the natural, built heritage and connecting links between the facilities and tourists.
  • Making changes in technologies for the historical buildings and maintaining urban cultural spots.
  • Managing and creating public-private connections through urban analysis.
  • Increasing revenue and promoting economic activities among the stakeholders
  • Making cultural spaces better and reachable.
  • Securing the cities and tourist spots by modern tools as CCTV etc.
  • Including digital help by updating GPS mapping and routes for tourists.
  • Duration and Funding
  • This scheme is by the central government, and the Government of India entirely does the funding. The total budget was INR 500 Crore. The scheme’s duration was four years from its implementation date.                                                                                     

 HRIDAY cities

  • Ajmer 
  • Amravati 
  • Amritsar 
  • Badami 
  • Dwarka 
  • Gaya 
  • Kanchipuram 
  • Mathura 
  • Puri 
  • Varanasi 
  • Velankanni
  • Warangal

Official Website

You can find more details about this scheme here: http://mohua.gov.in/cms/hariday.php

Components of the Scheme

This scheme’s primary focus is to develop Institutional, physical, Economic and Social Infrastructure. The projects under this scheme can also be funded by private sectors or from other stakeholders as well. Essential components of the programme are listed below.

  • Documentation and Mapping of Heritage Management Plan  

  • Listing and Documentation of the assets of the cities

  • Summarizing the services around these sites

  • Mapping the sites based on GIS

  • Planning and managing develop

  • Development for the conservation of the sites

  • Provision for Heritage Management

  • Renewal and improving safety around the historic areas, Ghats, temples/mosque/basilica and facades.

  • Linking the provision of services at city and community levels for the refurbishment of the monuments.

  • Improvising the essential services such as toilets, clean drinking water, parking space and waste management.

  • Linking the city trunks for solid and water waste conduction and management.

  • Shifting the hanging wires, poles and transformers.

  • Developing the roads, trails and including street furniture.

  • Hosting cultural events, festivals and fairs.

  • Improvement of the museums, cultural places and interpretation centres of the city. 

  • Including roads and pathways for public transportations near the sites.

  • Arranging solar or battery-operated vehicles for the comfort of the tourists.

  • Provision for City Information Management

  • City planning for overall growth and management of the historical sites.

  • Creation of Websites, Outreach material and IEC

  • Providing Wi-Fi and establishing CCTV Surveillance

  • Pillars for directions and Sign Boards

  • Developing skills of the tour guides 

  • Support promotion and marketing of local heritage such as women managed cottage industries.

  • Providing brochures of city maps, information boards and adding digital displays.

  • Maintaining web pages, mobile applications, software, web-based interface for heritage conservation, adaptation and management. 

The procedure of the Implementation of the Project

 The proposals for the project will flow based on two-level assessment and interactions with stakeholders. The levels are at the National Mission Directorate and City Mission Directorate. 

Preparation for the Project

  • The project will be developed by the National or City Mission Directorate with the consultation of HNEC and keeping the different aspects of the guidelines in mind. 

  • The components for HRIDAY will be prepared and submitted by each City Directorate.

  • The project will be selected based on the historical places, the development of infrastructure and city while bearing in mind the socio-economic effect.

  • Assurance of maximum use of funds and no copying of work.

  • DPR may also certify it for such a project is not being submitted to any other authority for financial assistance. The proposals provided will be evaluated in Mission Directorates, both technically and financially before sanctioning for implementation.

Appraisals for the Project

The National Mission Directorate will examine the Detail Project Reports with NPMU for technical and economic capability. The National Mission Directorate might ask for the services from the specialized wings such as CPWD, CPHEEO, and TCPO. 

Implementation of Project

  • HRIDAY is a scheme by the central government, and it will be implemented under the control of MOUD. But, the State Government can also be consulted if needed.

  • The Public Works Organization / Central Public Sector Unit / State Parastatals / Special Purpose Vehicle / NGOs will execute agencies for the approved projects. 

  • The authorization granted to them will be

  • Designing and implementing the whole project with Mission Directorates and ULBs 14.

  • After finalizing by DPRs, they will ask the technical and financial consent of the National Mission Directorate for the project. The DPR will provide guidelines for maintenance of the project for some time after completion of the project.

  • The Executive Agencies might employ consultants to help designing and implementation of the project.

  • While designing the concept and implementation of the project, they will inform Mission Directorates, States, ULBs.

  • The stakeholders and citizens will be involved during the project, as well.

  • The projects are supposed to be completed within specific time and cost.

  • Outcomes of the Scheme                                                                       

  • The outcomes of the HRIDAY Scheme are discussed below

  • Cleaner and sanitized Environment.

  • Improvement in urban areas and tourist sites.

  • Safety and Convenience of the tourists.

  • Increase in the livelihood of the local communities

  • Resources of mainstreamed heritage with city systems and economy.

  • Increase in visitors and tourists.

  • Increase in time of staying off the tourists.

  • Safety of people and a decrease in crimes

  • Improvement in the economy of local businesses.

Monitoring Progress Of Projects Sanctioned  

  • The Ministry of Urban Development will monitor the projects by various designated officers.

  • NPMU will monitor the development by assigning Mission Directorates for regular monitoring.

  • The National Mission Directorate will keep a record of the progress by employing Third-party Monitoring Mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What is HRIDAY?

HRIDAY stands for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, a scheme by the Government of India for preservation and development of various historical places.

Q. When was this scheme launched?

The scheme was launched on 21 January 2015.

Q.Who was the prime minister when this scheme was launched?

The scheme was launched during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Q. Who implemented it?

The Ministry of Urban Development by the Government of India implemented the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana scheme.

Q. What is the duration of this scheme?

The duration of this scheme was four years.

Q. What was the total budget?

The budget for this scheme was INR 500 crore.

Q. How many cities are being funded under this scheme right now?

There are 12 cities that are being funded.

Q. Who is funding this scheme?

The government of India entirely funds this scheme.

Q. Are they providing free Wi-Fi services?

Yes, along with other services, there is free Wi-Fi as well.

Q. Is there any role of state government?

Yes, the state government can be involved if there is any need for assistance in planning and development.

Q. What is the difference between HRIDAY and PRASAD schemes of the Government of India?

PRASAD or National mission on pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation drive is a mission to develop world-class infrastructure facilities at 12 cities precisely pilgrim spots. With funding of INR 100 Crore for this year. While HRIDAY or Heritage city development and Augmentation yojana is unlike the PRASAD scheme, it is under MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT, and it is not a mission. Twelve cities were given 50 Crore each for the development of heritage sites, whereas the event under PRASAD is a MISSION MODE.

Q. Who monitors the scheme?

The scheme is monitored by the Ministry of Urban Development and the various mission directorates appointed by them.

Q. Will there be substantial growth in visitors?

Yes, if the places have enough resources, cleanliness and necessary services, then there will be growing the visitors.