Transforming Indian Cities - Challenges and the Road Ahead

Context:

• Indian cities face severe pollution, poor infrastructure, and inadequate public services. Without reforms, cities risk becoming unlivable and unsafe.

Urban Challenges in India:

• Rapid urbanization:
  • According to the 2011 Census, census towns increased from 1,362 in 2001 to 3,894 in 2011, contributing to nearly one-third of the urban growth during that decade.
  • By 2036, more than 600 million people will live in Indian cities, which are not ready for this growth.
• Pollution crisis:
  • Overview: 42 Indian cities are among the top 50 most polluted cities in the world. Nearly 50% of 603 rivers in India are polluted.
  • Major causes: Vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and construction dust.
  • Impact: Respiratory diseases, economic losses ($95 billion annually), and deteriorating quality of life.
• Climate change and environmental degradation:
  • Overview: Extreme weather events (heatwaves, floods) are becoming frequent. For example,
    • Mumbai and Bengaluru witnessed flooding and waterlogging (last year), disrupting everyday life and displacing thousands.
    • New Delhi and the rest of North India endured a heatwave with temperatures touching close to 50 degrees Celsius.
  • Causes: Lack of green infrastructure worsens urban heat and flooding.
• Water and waste mismanagement:
  • Overview:
    • Major rivers like the Yamuna and Ganga are heavily contaminated, making them unsafe for consumption and harmful for marine biodiversity.
    • In Bengaluru, lakes have either dried up or become toxic while floods in Chennai have worsened groundwater contamination, leading to a cutoff of clean water supply for many communities.
    • Less than one-fifth of waste is treated in India.
  • Impact:
    • Cities like Bengaluru and Chennai struggle with water scarcity and contamination.
    • Poor waste disposal leads to hazardous landfills and disease outbreaks.

Governance Issues and Urban Planning:

• Census towns and urban mismanagement:
  • Census towns exhibit urban characteristics but lack official recognition.
  • Their governance as rural areas leads to poor infrastructure and funding shortages.
  • Delayed urban status exacerbates regional inequalities.
• Comparing Indian cities to global urban centers:
  • Bangkok: Efficient metro, tourism-friendly policies.
  • London: Well-planned transport, cultural hubs.
  • Dubai: Investment-friendly urban planning.
  • Singapore: Clean governance, smart city initiatives.
• Lessons for India:
  • Key takeaways for India: Efficient governance, affordable housing, and green infrastructure. To achieve this and to compete globally, Indian cities need bold urban reform.
  • Learning from Singapore’s urban model: Singapore overcame overcrowding, pollution, and congestion through structured urban planning.

Solutions and Policy Interventions:

• Solutions:
  • Transforming Indian cities will require an overhaul of planning, strengthened governance, and sustainable financing.
  • With action on these fronts, India can develop liveable, resilient, and economically vibrant cities that can become global attractions.
  • The first step must be to notify census towns as urban areas in their own right. States must take the lead.
• Other solutions:
  • Green spaces (like parks and green roofs), modern drainage systems, and early warning systems.
  • Need for comprehensive waste and water management
• Recent government initiative:
  • Urban Challenge Fund (Rs 1 lakh crore) announced in the 2025-26 Union Budget.
  • Focus areas:
    • Cities as growth hubs, creative redevelopment, and sanitation improvements.
    • Cities must compete to achieve sustainability through transit investments and pollution control.

Conclusion:

• The fate of Indian cities depends on proactive planning and governance reforms.
• Without urgent action, cities will face worsening pollution, congestion, and insecurity.
• The coming decade is crucial for making Indian cities smart, green, and globally competitive.

Q1. What are the major environmental challenges faced by Indian cities?

Ans. Indian cities struggle with severe air pollution, water contamination, waste mismanagement, and climate change-induced disasters like heat waves and floods.

Q2. How does the governance of census towns impact urban development in India?

Ans. Census towns, despite exhibiting urban characteristics, are governed as rural areas, leading to inadequate infrastructure, lack of funding, and poor urban planning.

Q3. What lessons can India learn from Singapore’s urban planning model?

Ans. India can adopt Singapore’s focus on efficient land use, sustainable infrastructure, affordable housing, green spaces, and transparent governance to improve urban livability.

Q4. What is the objective of the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund announced in the Union Budget 2025-26?

Ans. The fund aims to promote sustainable urbanization by supporting initiatives in growth hubs, creative redevelopment, and water and sanitation improvements.

Q5. How does air pollution impact India’s economy and public health?

Ans. Air pollution costs India nearly $95 billion annually due to lost productivity and healthcare expenses, while also contributing to respiratory diseases and reduced life expectancy. 

Source:IE