The Challenges
India has one of the largest urban populations in the world, consisting of more than 377 million spread across 6,166 metropolises/ urban towns out of a total 7,935 towns in the country according to the 2011 Census. By 2030, more than half of India’s population will be living in cities, and the number of megacities will increase from five to seven or more. Additionally, the United Nations estimate that much of the population increase in India between 2015 and 2030 will take place in urban areas which will add around 164 million people to its urban base.
India is at a critical moment where it can preserve and build on the reforms and economic gains, however, it requires substantial capacity and handholding support to strengthen institutional structures at the local level. Need to equip local governments/ utilities with necessary tools to successfully translate governance principles to a local level so as to leapfrog towards a sustainable and inclusive urbanization as well as positioning India at regional and global level.
