SP Roy, Joint Secretary, Capacity Building Commission, Mission Karmayogi, Govt. of India, & Shubham Katyayan, Vice President & Lead – Urban Transformation, Primus Partners Pvt Ltd, share their view on the need for future-ready cities in Viksit Bharat.

In his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s speech in Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that India’s accelerating urbanization should be seen as an opportunity rather than a challenge. This underscores the government’s vision of urban centers as key drivers of India's development, where effective urban governance will be crucial in determining success.

From historic cities like Kashi, Ujjain, Madurai, and Vijayanagar to modern metropolises such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Gurugram, urban centers have long shaped regional economies, identities, and cultures. Despite occupying just 3% of India’s land area, these cities contribute over 65% of the GDP. However, the challenges of weak urban governance—evident in deteriorating infrastructure, high pollution levels, and ineffective town planning—affect over 4,800 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), posing a significant barrier to sustainable urban development.

ULBs are responsible for key mandates such as urban planning, building control, and economic and social development planning. However, rapid urban migration and increasing demands for infrastructure and public services have placed immense pressure on them to adopt forward-looking urban planning strategies, efficient response mechanisms, and modern technology-driven city management.