The Economic Survey 2025–26 cautions that unchecked rural–urban migration strains cities and weakens villages through a care drain. Existing schemes fall short. It calls for holistic rural revival by boosting non-farm jobs, local governance, and rural–urban integration to achieve sustainable, inclusive growth.
Click to View MoreThe TomTom Traffic Index 2025 exposes India’s deepening urban mobility crisis, with Bengaluru and Kolkata among the world’s slowest cities. Car-centric growth, weak public transport, and poor planning drive economic and health losses, demanding a shift to people-centric mobility via public transport, congestion pricing, and Transit-Oriented Development.
Click to View MoreIndia struggles to manage growing sludge from rapid urbanization. With most areas depending on on-site sanitation, a strong Fecal Sludge and Septage Management framework is vital. Despite supportive policies, gaps in infrastructure, technology, and regulation remain. Adopting a circular economy can turn sludge into a valuable resource.
Click to View MoreUnchecked groundwater extraction is sinking major cities, weakening infrastructure and heightening flood and saltwater risks. India must urgently regulate borewells, enforce rainwater harvesting, and adopt integrated, science-based water governance with community participation to safeguard urban stability and secure its most vital resource—groundwater.
Click to View MoreIndia must reform outdated land-use planning to make cities true economic growth hubs. Achieving the $30 trillion goal and Net Zero target needs cities with job-linked visions, regional planning, Natural Resource Budgeting, and Climate Action Plans that ensure sustainable, resilient, and holistic urban growth.
Click to View MoreAs global powers turn inward, India has a rare chance to make its cities global innovation hubs. This requires urgent urban reform, better governance, clean air, efficient transport, and top-tier education and healthcare to attract and retain talent, driving India’s economic transformation.
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