Dehradun, March 2 -- India's urbanisation story is entering a decisive phase. Cities today account for a dominant share of the country's GDP, host its most dynamic economic clusters, and increasingly shape the quality of life of millions. Yet they also face persistent infrastructure deficits, climate vulnerabilities, fiscal constraints and institutional fragmentation. The challenge is no longer whether India will urbanise, but whether it can urbanise well - productively, sustainably and inclusively.
The recently approved Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) represents a significant shift in how India proposes to answer that question. With a Central Assistance outlay of Rs 1 lakh crore over FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31, and a design expected to catalyse ...