The Punjab Government has announced an ambitious plan to construct 1,156 new Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the state, aiming to revolutionize early childhood care and maternal health infrastructure. .
Under the scheme, 1,000 AWCs are being constructed in the first phase. Out of this, 56 have already been completed and 644 are under construction. The remaining 300 centres are in the preparatory stages, and work is likely to begin soon. In addition, 156 new AWCs have been sanctioned, and their construction is awaiting panchayat resolutions to start.
The project has a total budget of ₹138.72 crore, with every AWC estimated to cost ₹12 lakh. Funds are arranged from MGNREGA at ₹8 lakh per centre, untied funds from the Rural Development Department at ₹2 lakh, and from the Department of Social Security, Women & Child Development at ₹2 lakh for furnishings and minor works.
The government’s aim is not only construction. This project integrates the advanced amenities into an initiative to create a nourishing environment conducive to the children’s physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. AWCs will be centres for early childhood education, nutrition programs, and maternal health services.
The following objectives underline the project:
Sanitation Facilities: 2,162 new toilets are being constructed in AWCs, along with piped water supply in 353 centres.
Furnishing: A total of 21,851 AWCs will be furnished with furniture so that functional spaces are created.
Aspirational Districts: 100 AWCs in Moga and Ferozpur will be transformed into “Saksham AWCs” which will have special learning and play equipment, rainwater harvesting systems, and internet facilities.
Progress on Upgradation
In addition to new constructions, 350 existing AWCs are being structurally repaired and up-graded, with a budget of ₹7 crore. This includes improvements in hygiene and service delivery facilities. The government aims to complete these upgrades by January 31, 2025.
This includes the Saksham AWCs, where infrastructure is also upgraded, which comprises RO units, LED lighting, and Poshan Vatikas for the sustainable development of these places. In total, the expenditure is ₹94.80 lakh, and it will be completed by February 28, 2025.
Sanitation and Hygiene
Hygiene and Cleanliness being very vital in aspects of child and maternal health, the government is allocating ₹7.78 crore for toilet construction, ₹35.30 lakh for water supply facilities. This construction will ensure the cleanliness of the environment, which is the precondition for their well-being.
Multi-Scheme Approach
The AWCs’ constructions will be further supported with the following central government schemes:
Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana: 19 AWCs are being constructed with a budget of ₹3.5 crore.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK): 244 AWCs are being developed with an investment of ₹14.40 lakh per unit.
District-Wise Allocation
Major districts like Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur are among the biggest recipients. As many as 94 new centers have been allocated to Ludhiana alone, followed by 73 each in Amritsar and Hoshiarpur. The district-wise distribution ensures that Punjab develops uniformly.
While significant progress has been made, challenges like delayed panchayat resolutions and logistical hurdles persist. However, the government remains resolute in its commitment to completing all projects on schedule, with March 2025 set as the final deadline for sanitation initiatives and furniture installation.