Guwahati, April 28, 2026: Dr. Ravi Kota, IAS, held a preliminary meeting with the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs and other concerned departments to prepare a roadmap for projects under the Government of India’s Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) across cities and towns in Assam.
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| Ravi Kota chairs a meeting with officials in Guwahati to review Urban Challenge Fund projects aimed at strengthening urban infrastructure in Assam. (Image: x.com/CSAssam_) |
During the meeting, officials reviewed several priority initiatives including redevelopment projects in Guwahati, stormwater drainage systems, sponge infrastructure for flood mitigation, satellite township development, transit-oriented corridors, and improvements to key urban infrastructure such as drainage and street lighting.
The meeting also examined provisions of the UCF scheme, which provides a Central Assistance outlay of ₹1,00,000 crore from FY 2025–26 to FY 2030–31 to promote urban development through market-based financing instruments including loans, municipal bonds, and public-private partnerships.
Officials noted that Central Assistance is capped at 25% of project cost, with at least 50% expected to be mobilised through market sources or PPPs, highlighting the need for stronger financial preparedness among Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The discussion also covered the Credit Repayment Guarantee Sub-Scheme (CRGSS), which has an outlay of ₹5,000 crore and aims to improve ULBs’ access to credit through partial guarantees and other financial mechanisms.
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According to officials, Assam could potentially access around ₹990 crore in Central Assistance under the scheme, unlocking an estimated investment potential of about ₹3,960 crore over the mission period.
The Chief Secretary directed departments to consolidate project pipelines, strengthen institutional readiness, and coordinate with ULBs to assess preparedness for participation under the Urban Challenge Fund, stressing the importance of developing well-structured and bankable projects for timely implementation.
