2.10     PHASING AND RESOURCE
             MOBILISATION

2.10.1   The Master Plan (Perspective: 2025) has been conceived for a total population of 50,000, and takes into account a population of 15.000 by the year 2010. The Five Year Development Plan (2001-2006) proposals are given in Table 22 along with the Five Year programme for overall city development and special projects.

2.10.2     In the Development Plan proposals for 2001-2006, Auroville proposes to invest Rs. 350 crores on infrastructure development, which will be funded from the sources given in Table 23, to accommodate the population growth.

2.10.3     A summary of the investments for 2001-2006 in residential, international, industrial and cultural zones is given in Table 24.

2.10.4     Auroville activities are financed by donations and financial inputs from residents, through income generated by Auroville-run business units, and grants and donations from national and international agencies. Auroville, being an institution that has been established through an Act of Parliament, also obtains financial support from the Government of India.

2.10.5     The sources of funding for the Auroville activities are:

Trusts under the Auroville Foundation: At present, there are over a hundred large and small commercial units grouped in 15 trusts under the Auroville Foundation. During the financial year 1999-2000 alone, 20 small-scale units were added. Over the past 10 years, commercial units have contributed finances in the order of Rs.10 crores towards Auroville's maintenance and development.

Centre for Scientific Research (CSR): The CSR is a research institution set up in 1984 to focus on research and development in the field of renewable energy, wastewater recycling and sanitation, and appropriate building technology. Its activities include R&D projects, transfer of technology via training programmes and workshops, promotion of renewable energy systems, dissemination of information via seminars, workshops and publications, production of ferrocement building components and biogas plants, architectural design, consultancy and construction projects. It receives funds from national and international agencies, which are also channelled into Auroville's development.

Government of India: The Government of India's support for Auroville activities in the last 10 years has been in the order of Rs. 8 crores.

Grants and Donations: International grants and donations, both from India and abroad, are channelled through Auroville Fund. Similarly, the Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research (SAIIER) receives Indian and international funds for its cultural and educational activities. Auromitra Trust receives funds for environmental, social, technological and research programmes in the field of soil and water conservation, afforestation and farming.

2.10.6     During the past 10 years (1990-2000) Auroville has mobilised about Rs. 60 crores, the break-up of which is given in Table 25.

2.10.7     These funds have helped to finance and create assets which include a variety of infrastructure assets in the sector of road building, water and sanitation, power (including from alternate sources such as solar, wind and biomass), telecommunication, and housing for Auroville residents. It is established that the total value of assets created over the last 30 years is in the order of Rs.500 crores.

2.10.8     Mobilisation of Resources for Development: Even with limited resources, Auroville has undertaken innovative projects in human settlement building, which integrates environmental regeneration with urban development, on the national and international scene. This has generated interest from agencies, which are funding such sustainable development programmes, to support the further development of Auroville. A recent instance is the financial assistance from the European Union under its Asia Urbs programme towards the construction of a Centre for Innovative Urban Management, which has also put in place an effective municipal structure for Auroville's future development.

2.10.9     Auroville's work in the various sectors of innovative and appropriate technology, both in rural and urban areas, has been recognised by both the State Government of Tamil Nadu and the Central Government, which have provided grants via various ministries. Also, the expertise accumulated over the past 30 years is attracting consultancy assignments from both non-government and public agencies from within India.

2.10.10     The organisational structure that is expected to be created shortly will explore other resource/avenues for funding and working out the projects in greater detail to meet the requirements of funding agencies. However, as Auroville is a unique experiment quite different from other towns, it cannot obtain resources from traditional sources such as loans and bonds for all its development. Auroville's commercial units have been increasingly contributing to its development, but they would not be able to fund all of the anticipated developments. In the first phase, Auroville will continue to depend upon project funds and contributions from its present and future residents.