Kerala's Delhi envoy flags unspent AMRUT funds, vows to recover dues

G. Devarajan, Kerala's special representative stationed in Delhi, has leveled sharp criticism at the outgoing Left Democratic Front government for its poor track record in spending funds allocated under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme. The representative said the previous administration's inability to effectively utilize these resources had deprived urban areas in the state of critical infrastructure development.

Devarajan emphasized that substantial sums remain unspent under the centrally-sponsored initiative, which aims to improve sewerage, water supply, and urban transport infrastructure in cities across India. He attributed the shortfall partly to administrative inefficiencies and coordination gaps between state and central authorities.

Moving forward, Devarajan has committed to aggressively pursuing Kerala's outstanding dues from the Union government. He said his office would work to expedite fund releases and ensure that the state maximizes its share of central allocations for urban development projects. The representative indicated that improved coordination with New Delhi would be critical to unlocking these resources for Kerala's municipalities.

The AMRUT scheme, launched in 2015, provides financial assistance to select Indian cities for urban infrastructure improvements. Officials in Kerala are now focused on fast-tracking pending project approvals and expenditure to avoid forfeiture of allocated funds.