Answer

Introduction

India’s rapid urbanisation has expanded far faster than the capacity of cities to provide clean air, housing, mobility, and essential civic services. Recent commentary on pollution, unplanned growth, and weak municipal systems highlights how governance failures, not just resource gaps, drive urban decay. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring livable, sustainable, and equitable cities.

Body

Key challenges facing urban infrastructure in India

• Severe environmental degradation: Urban air quality is declining sharply due to pollution, waste mismanagement, and lack of green spaces.
• Unplanned and corrupt urban expansion: Weak oversight allows illegal constructions, chaotic growth, and inadequate waste and water systems.
  Eg: Municipal officials permit “unplanned, ugly urban sprawls” and slums due to bribery.
• Weak and unaccountable municipal governance: Power is concentrated in chief ministers, not empowered mayors, leading to poor service delivery.
• Lack of affordable housing: Migrants face unaffordable rents and live in overcrowded hovels, worsening urban poverty.
• Public services lag behind population growth: Waste management, sewage systems, parks, and transport do not expand at the rate of urbanisation.
  Eg: Cities lack clean water, waste disposal, and green “lungs” needed for planned urbanisation.

Reforms needed for sustainable and well-governed cities

• Empower elected mayors and decentralise governance: Shift control of municipal services from chief ministers to accountable city leaders.
• Strengthen municipal accountability and curb corruption: Enforce strict penalties for illegal constructions and misuse of office.
  Eg: Despite rampant violations, municipal officials are rarely punished for enabling slum-like growth.
• Launch nationwide urban environment reforms: Declare urban decay a national priority with clean air, waste management, and green spaces at the core.
• Expand affordable housing initiatives: Promote rental housing, low-cost housing zones, and public–private models for migrant accommodation.
• Improve core infrastructure planning: Integrate water supply, transport, parks, and waste systems into long-term urban master plans.
  Eg: Ancient Indian cities had clean water and waste systems, today’s neglect stands in sharp contrast.

Conclusion

India’s urban challenges stem not only from resource shortages but from systemic governance failures and unplanned expansion. Reforms must prioritise empowered local governments, transparent municipal functioning, and inclusive infrastructure creation. Only then can Indian cities become livable, equitable, and reflective of a truly modern nation.

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