“Urbanisation in India presents both major opportunities and structural challenges.” Analyse.

Overview

India is rapidly becoming more urbanized, with cities serving as catalysts for employment, innovation, and economic expansion. However, this change also highlights serious systemic flaws in infrastructure, governance, urban planning, and environmental management.

Main Analysis

Numerous economic prospects have been brought about by urbanization. Over 65% of India’s GDP comes from its cities, which also sustain a substantial number of formal and informal jobs as well as start-ups, manufacturing clusters, and service sectors. Urban locations also have considerably better access to digital infrastructure, health care, and education, which enhances human capital.

But there are drawbacks to this expansion. Water supply, trash management, housing, and transportation have all been impacted by unplanned growth. Slums’ growth is a reflection of unequal access to essential services. Public health and productivity are impacted by traffic congestion and declining air quality. Urban local organizations lack the staff, technical know-how, and financial independence necessary to oversee sizable populations. Heat waves, urban floods, and infrastructural vulnerabilities are all made worse by climate change.

Way Forward

India needs to concentrate on planned urbanization, which includes developing affordable housing, boosting public transportation, and fortifying master plans. Adoption of intelligent digital technologies, fiscal empowerment of local entities, and nature-based solutions (such as urban woods and wetlands) are crucial. Stronger catastrophe resilience and inclusive policies that assist low-income and migratory workers are also necessary for cities.

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About the Author: Jyoti Verma