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.