Context:
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended forming a High-Level Expert Committee to assess India’s urban infrastructure needs and reforms up to 2047.
Key Highlights:
- Government Initiatives & Policy Context
- Suggestion to create an integrated long-term urban strategy framework.
- Current schemes include:
- AMRUT 2.0 – water supply & sewerage
- SBM-U 2.0 – sanitation & waste management
- PMAY-U 2.0 – affordable housing
- Metro Rail Projects & PM e-Bus Seva
- Issues Identified
- Existing approach is scheme-driven and sector-specific.
- Lack of holistic planning may lead to:
- Fragmented development
- Inefficient resource allocation
- Financial stress on projects
- Data & Reports
- NITI Aayog–ADB report (2022): Cities are engines of economic growth.
- HPEC (2011): Estimated 75% urban population by 2030 (now outdated).
Relevant Prelims Points:
- AMRUT 2.0: Focus on universal water supply and sewerage coverage.
- SBM-U 2.0: Targets garbage-free cities and sanitation.
- PMAY-U: Aims for Housing for All (Urban).
- HPEC (2011): First comprehensive urban infrastructure estimate.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Urbanization as a driver of GDP growth and economic transformation.
- Need for integrated urban governance and financing mechanisms.
- Challenges:
- Urban sprawl
- Infrastructure deficit
- Weak municipal capacity
- Importance of data-driven planning and institutional reforms.
- Way Forward
- Establish a national urban infrastructure roadmap till 2047.
- Strengthen urban local bodies (ULBs) and fiscal autonomy.
- Promote public-private partnerships (PPP) and innovative financing.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS II: Governance
- GS III: Urban Development, Economy