New Delhi: About 60% population of the country will live in cities by 2050 as India’s rate of urbanization is “dramatic", minister of state for urban development Rao Inderjit Singh said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

As per the 2011 census, 31% population in the country lives in urban areas and more and more people would migrate to cities in coming decades, he said.

“By 2050, 60% population of the country will live in cities as India’s rate of urbanization is dramatic," he said during question hour.

The minister said under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the government plans to strengthen big cities first and smaller cities would be strengthened in the second stage.

AMRUT provides for improvement of basic urban infrastructure in water supply, sewerage, septage, storm water drainage, urban transport and development of green space and parks with special provision.

Singh said assistance by the World Bank or foreign financial institutions is not being provided under AMRUT and the projects and activities under the mission are funded through central government, states and Union Territories and urban local bodies as per applicable sharing patterns.

“States, UTs and urban local bodies may, however, raise funds required against their share through own resources or any other means, including through World Bank or foreign financial institutions," he said.

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