India’s Urban Infrastructure: Parliamentary Panel Suggests Roadmap to 2047

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs has recommended forming a High-Level Expert Committee to assess India’s urban infrastructure, financing, governance, and capacity needs up to 2047.

• Parliamentary Committee’s Observation: The Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs noted that  programmes such as AMRUT 2.0, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0, PM e-Bus Seva remain largely scheme-driven and sector-specific, lacking an integrated long-term urban strategy.
  • Government’s View: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that the aforementioned  ongoing missions  are improving urban quality of life and supporting Viksit Bharat 2047.
• The most recent comprehensive urban infrastructure assessment was conducted by a High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) committee in 2011, covering projections only up to 2031, and predicting that 75% of Indians will live in cities by 2030. 
• • No updated national-level evaluation exists for demands beyond 2030, the panel noted.

About India’s Urban Infrastructure

• Urban infrastructure refers to the physical and institutional facilities that support the functioning, economic activity, and quality of life in cities, including water supply, sanitation, housing, transport, energy, and digital connectivity.

Key Components of Urban Infrastructure

• Water Supply and Sanitation: Reliable drinking water and waste management are essential for public health.
  • For Example: AMRUT 2.0 focuses on universal tap water supply and improved sewerage systems in cities.
• Urban Housing: Affordable housing is critical to address slums and housing shortages.
• • For Example: Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban aims to provide housing for the urban poor.
• Solid Waste Management: Proper waste collection and processing help maintain urban hygiene and environmental sustainability.
• • For Example: Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 promotes waste segregation and scientific waste disposal.
• Urban Transport: Efficient transport reduces congestion, pollution, and travel time.
  • For Example: Delhi Metro has improved mass transit and reduced traffic congestion in the National Capital Region.

Challenges in Urban Infrastructure

• Infrastructure Deficit: Many cities lack adequate water supply, sewage treatment, and transport facilities.
  • For Example: Informal settlements in cities like Mumbai still face inadequate sanitation and housing.
• Fragmented Planning: Urban projects often operate in sector-specific schemes rather than integrated planning frameworks.
• • For Example: Cities implementing Smart Cities Mission sometimes see projects like smart roads or surveillance systems developed separately from broader transport or land-use planning.
• Financing Constraints: Urban local bodies often have limited revenue sources and weak financial capacity, affecting infrastructure investment.
  • For Example: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has frequently faced financial stress, leading to delays in salary payments and affecting urban service delivery.
• Urban Inequality and Informal Settlements: Rapid urbanisation has led to the growth of slums and informal housing.
  • For Example: Large informal settlements in Mumbai, such as Dharavi, face challenges in sanitation, housing, and basic services.

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Way Forward

• Integrated Urban Planning: Cities should adopt long-term, integrated infrastructure planning frameworks aligned with sustainable development goals to ensure coordinated development of sectors such as transport, housing, and water supply. 
  • For example, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) promotes planned development of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in urban areas.
• Strengthening Urban Local Bodies: Enhancing the fiscal autonomy, administrative capacity, and governance effectiveness of municipalities is essential for improving urban infrastructure and service delivery. 
• Use of Technology and Smart Solutions: Adopting smart mobility, digital governance, and data-driven urban planning can improve efficiency in urban services. 
  • For instance, the Smart Cities Mission promotes technology-based urban management, including integrated command centres and intelligent traffic systems in cities like Pune.

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