Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana
Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) was launched by the Government of India in 2015 to develop the heritage cities of India. The objective of the scheme is to preserve and revitalize the unique heritage character of India’s iconic cities, conserve natural resources, civilizational history and tangible/intangible cultural assets. HRIDAY is a major initiative taken by the government to protect and promote a city’s unique culture, architecture, monuments and its economic growth. This article will explore the five key components of HRIDAY, their importance in preserving and reviving urban heritage in India, as well as progress made under this project.
What is Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana?
Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HCDAY) is a scheme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India for developing world-class heritage cities. The scheme was launched in January 2015 with an aim to develop at least one heritage city in each state of India.
The scheme envisages development of infrastructure and amenities in the heritage city, augmentation of cultural resources and promotion of tourism. The scheme will also focus on conservation and upgradation of built heritage and other historical assets. An important component of the scheme is training and capacity building for stakeholders involved in urban planning, conservation and management.
The total outlay for the scheme is Rs. 500 crore to be released over a period of five years beginning 2015-16. So far, 20 cities have been selected under the scheme – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Ajmer, Gaya, Badami, Dwarka, Fatehpur Sikri, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Warangal, Varanasi, Velankanni Town, Gomateshwara Town (Shravanabelagola), Leh town (Ladakh), Brihadisvara Temple town (Tanjavur), Srirangam temple town (Trichy), Madurai Meenakshi temple town and Mahabalipuram group of monuments town.
The Different Types of Heritage Cities
Heritage cities are those that have been officially recognized by the government as having cultural, historical, or architectural significance. There are three different types of heritage cities in India: Type I, Type II, and Type III.
Type I heritage cities are those that have been declared as World Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). There are currently 27 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, including the Taj Mahal, the Qutb Minar complex, and the Red Fort complex.
Type II heritage cities are those that have been declared as National Heritage Sites by the Indian government. There are currently 97 National Heritage Sites in India, including the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, the Group of Monuments at Hampi, and the Humayun’s Tomb complex.
Type III heritage cities are those that have been designated as “heritage sites” by their respective state governments. This is a relatively new designation; as of 2016, there were only 10 state-designated heritage sites in India. However, this number is expected to grow in the future as more states adopt this designation.
Pros and Cons of the Yojana
The pros of the Yojana are that it will promote conservation and responsible tourism, generate employment and reduce pressure on existing infrastructure. The cons are that it may lead to gentrification and displacement of residents, as well as increase in prices of goods and services.
What are the Objectives of the Yojana?
The objectives of the Yojana are to develop and augment the infrastructure of identified heritage cities, including provision for basic services like water supply, sewerage, solid waste management, streetscape and public transportation; create an enabling environment for private investment in development and augmentation of infrastructure; generate employment through development of tourism-related activities and crafts; restore and conserve built heritage and cultural resources; develop sustainable tourism within the framework of national tourism policy.
How will the Yojana be Implemented?
The Yojana will be implemented in a phased manner over a period of five years. In the first phase, detailed project reports will be prepared for 12 cities. In the second phase, work will commence on the development of infrastructure in these 12 cities. In the third and fourth phases, another 24 cities will be taken up for development, and in the fifth phase, the remaining 36 cities will be developed.
Alternatives to Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana
The Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HCDAY) is a flagship program of the Government of India that aims to develop and augment heritage cities across the country. However, there are a number of alternative approaches that can be taken to develop and augment heritage cities.
One alternative is for the government to focus on developing and augmenting traditional city centers, rather than individual heritage sites. This approach would require the government to work with urban planners and architects to identify traditional city centers that could be revitalized. Once identified, the government could provide financial incentives and assistance to businesses and residents who relocate to these city centers. This approach has the potential to create more livable and vibrant heritage cities, as well as spur economic development.
Another alternative is for the government to focus on developing new heritage sites, rather than augmenting existing ones. This approach would require the government to identify locations with potential for development as heritage sites. Once identified, the government could provide financial assistance and other support for businesses and individuals who want to develop these sites. This approach has the potential to create more jobs and attract more tourists to heritage cities.
The HCDAY program is a good first step in developing and augmenting India’s heritage cities. However, there are a number of alternative approaches that can be taken to improve upon this program. By focusing on developing traditional city centers or creating new heritage sites, the government can make India’s heritage cities more livable, vibrant, and economically
