Rajasthan is the largest state of the country (areawise). Rajasthan enjoys a place of pride in India in all spheres, be it industry, agriculture, roads, power, tourism, law and order or service delivery to citizens. The increase in tools of scientific research, increase in livelihoods, increase in export, increase in cottage and village industries; small businesses have become part of the new industrial policy. In the state, cotton clothes, salt industry, marble industry, glass industry, handloom industry, gems industry, engineering and electronics are gaining greater momentum and growth. In order to give greater impetus to Industrialists in the state, the state has provided various facilities such as greater availability of modern technologies and services to encourage investors and larger investments. Encouraged by these, investors both, from within the country as well as non resident Rajasthani Indians have been wooed by the state to invest in the state. Additionally, the state government has set a precedent by making tourism a public enterprise. In the realm of tourism Rajasthan enjoys a unique position in India. The rich cultural and historical heritage of the state of Rajasthan has become the focus of the tourist industry. Tourism therefore has taken a shape of an income generating industry. The peaceful and congenial atmosphere in the state has given momentum to development, and faster pace of urbanization.

At the time of its formation the population of the state was 1.60 crores which has now increased to 3 ½ times and has been recorded at 5.65 crores as per the 2001 census. Out of this a population of 1.32 crores (23.38%) is residing in the urban areas ant the six major cities viz Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota & Udaipur having a combined population of 1.32 crores constitute nearly 40% of Rajasthan's urban population.


Because of the rapid growth and urbanization, there has been an increased pressure on the urban infrastructure facilities. Keeping this in view the Government of Rajasthan (GoR) has with the loan assistance from Asian Development Bank (ADB), taken up Rajasthan Urban Infrastructure Development Project (RUIDP) to provide integrated quality infrastructural facilities in six divisional headquarters of the State. The GoR has formed RUIDP and entrusted the works of the infrastructure development in the six cities to RUIDP.

The project supports the Government's priority investment in the urban sector, based on an urban development strategy that focuses on improving the welfare of the urban poor and the devolution of municipal management responsibility from states to cities.

This integrated urban development project, under which assistance is being given to the state of Rajasthan; helps meet basic human needs by developing urban services for water supply and sanitation, solid waste and waste water management, and slum and environmental improvements. The project also supports street improvement and traffic management, and strengthens other civic services required to improve the quality and safety of urban life. The project provides assistance towards capacity building and community participation at the state and local levels to support the effective devolution of urban management, taking into account the importance of good governance. In addition, assistance for Project implementation is provided.