The urban population data gathered by the UN is scary. India, which has 410 million people living in urban areas, is likely to see that figure explode to 814 million by 2050, and New Delhi (2.5 crore people), already the world’s second-most populous city after Tokyo, is likely to stay that way for a few decades as Mumbai and other Indian metros start moving up the demographic ladder. The explosion of urban population in India — impelled almost equally by natural growth and migration — is a challenge and an opportunity.
Right now, the National Capital Region is a symptom of the disease as urbanisation transforms cities into mega-metropolises. These cities, which may resemble clusters of slums, will put pressure on water, power, roads, civic conditions and transport infrastructure. India’s mega-cities, in fact, host more people than several large-sized countries. With cities accounting for nearly 70 per cent of GDP, the very paradigm is shifting in a once purely agricultural country. This makes imperative the localisation of powers at the mayor level to drive the cities towards a healthier environment, a more inclusive work ambience, and to provide an urgent infrastructure thrust in public transportation.
