Launched on 21 January 2015, HRIDAY is a developmental scheme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, shortened to HRIDAY, aims for the preservation of designated heritage cities across the country by combining urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation. Focusing on the holistic development of heritage cities, this scheme will address prevalent issues in these regions by revitalising both heritage assets like monuments and religious places and the development of sanitation facilities, citizen services and transport infrastructure. This article explores some key features of the HRIDAY scheme.
See also: Heritage Sites In The World: All You Need To Know
Common problems addressed by HRIDAY
The HRIDAY Scheme aims to tackle specific problems associated with heritage areas for better maintenance and preservation. Since these regions are important tourist destinations, it is essential to ensure that they offer a smooth experience to the tourists and help boost the industry.
While heritage areas are important for the tourism industry, very often they tend to get overcrowded. Moreover, they lack basic services and infrastructure. Water supply, sanitation and well-maintained toilets are some basic amenities that must be present in these regions. Poor condition of roads and transport infrastructure is also a common sight. Additionally, the management and financing of heritage assets has always been the bone of contention between private institutions, urban local bodies and larger government bodies.
Keeping these problems in mind, the HRIDAY scheme has been designed in order to address the challenges faced by heritage cities for the purposes of maintenance and preservation.
Scheme statement and objectives
According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the aim of the scheme is to “Preserve and revitalise the soul of the heritage city to reflect the city’s unique character by encouraging aesthetically appealing, accessible, informative & secured environment. To undertake strategic and planned development of heritage cities aiming at improvement in overall quality of life with specific focus on sanitation, security, tourism, heritage revitalization and livelihoods retaining the city’s cultural identity.” Following is a simplified list of objectives of the scheme:
- Development and implementation of plans surrounding heritage sensitive infrastructure.
- Special attention to the infrastructure of core areas of the historic cities.
- Preservation of heritage in tourist areas that promote the unique character of the city.
- Developing and maintaining a heritage asset inventory of cities including natural and cultural heritage as a basis for urban planning.
- Enhancing availability of basic services including sanitation, public conveniences and street lights along with technology integration.
- Increasing local capacity for an inclusive heritage-based industry.
- Creating efficient linkages between tourism and cultural facilities and conserving natural and built heritage.
- Adaptive rehabilitation and maintenance for heritage buildings and suitable technologies for retrofitting.
- Establishment of public-private partnerships for management for heritage buildings and adaptive urban rehabilitation.
- Development of economic activities to enhance livelihood, including emphasis on skill development.
- Integration of modern technology, including usage of ICT tools and surveillance apparatus like CCTV.
- Increased physical access (better roads and transport infrastructure) and intellectual access (GIS mapping etc.)
Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Cities and funding
Following is the list of cities covered by HRIDAY and the funds allotted for the development of each of them:
| City | State | Fund (Rs crore) |
| Ajmer | Rajasthan | 40.04 |
| Amravati | Andhra Pradesh | 22.26 |
| Amritsar | Punjab | 69.31 |
| Badami | Karnataka | 22.26 |
| Dwaraka | Gujarat | 22.26 |
| Gaya | Bihar | 40.04 |
| Kanchipuram | Tamil Nadu | 23.04 |
| Mathura | Uttar Pradesh | 40.04 |
| Puri | Odisha | 22.54 |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 89.31 |
| Velankanni | Tamil Nadu | 22.26 |
| Warangal | Telangana | 40.54 |
Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
FAQs
What is the full form of the HRIDAY Scheme?
HRIDAY stands for National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana.
When was the HRIDAY Scheme launched?
This scheme was launched on 21 January 2015.
Which ministry does the HRIDAY Scheme fall under?
This scheme falls under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of the Government of India.
What problems does the HRIDAY Scheme aim to address?
This scheme aims to address the problems of sanitation, lack of basic amenities and transport infrastructure and management and maintenance of heritage assets.
What are the main objectives of the HRIDAY Scheme?
The scheme aims to enhance sanitation, security, tourism, heritage revitalisation in heritage cities and improve the quality of life there by providing livelihood opportunities that are reflective of the cultural identity of the city.
Which cities are covered by the HRIDAY Scheme?
Ajmer, Amravati, Amritsar, Badami, Dwaraka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal are the cities included in this scheme.
Which city has received the largest funding under the HRIDAY Scheme?
Varanasi has received the largest funding among the cities included in the scheme, amounting to Rs 89.31 crore.
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