HRIDAY stands for Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana, a Government of India initiative dedicated to enhancing heritage cities and bolstering tourism infrastructure across the nation.
The objectives of HRIDAY are multi-faceted:
- Preservation and regeneration of the rich heritage and culture in historical cities of India.
- Enhancement of the quality of life for residents inhabiting these cities.
- Promotion of tourism and bolstering regional economic development within historic urban landscapes.
- Ensuring inclusive development and active stakeholder participation in the progress of heritage cities.
- Encouraging the adaptive reuse of historic buildings and public spaces.
HRIDAY’s mission comprises four primary components:
- Physical Infrastructure
- Institutional Infrastructure
- Social Infrastructure
- Economic Infrastructure
Cities covered under the HRIDAY scheme include Ajmer, Amritsar, Badami, Varanasi, Mathura, Dwarka, Amravati, Gaya, Puri, Velankanni, Warangal, and Kanchipuram.
In essence, HRIDAY, with its focus on sustainable development, capacity building, and civic engagement, serves as a vital endeavor toward preserving and revitalizing India’s cultural heritage while fostering inclusive growth and enhancing community well-being.
