India’s ranking in the Sustainable Development Report 2025 improved to 99th among 167 countries. This shows progress from previous years but marks uneven achievement across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most pressing difficulties lie in SDG 11, which aims for inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities. India struggles with key urban indicators such as slum population, air pollution, water access and public transport availability.
Urban Population and Slum Challenges
Slums in India face the worst living conditions. Nearly half of slum households live in inadequate, congested or non-permanent housing. Water supply is far below government norms. For example, Mumbai’s slums receive only 45 litres per capita daily versus the 135 litres standard. Water quality is often poor and supply unpredictable. Dependence on costly water tankers adds financial strain on slum residents. Informal tenure and lack of basic services deepen urban inequality.
Air Quality and Pollution Concerns
India’s urban air quality remains stagnant with high levels of PM 2.5 pollution. This affects health and increases vulnerability, especially for the urban poor. Pollution combined with extreme weather events like floods and landslides worsens living conditions. Poor infrastructure and limited access to healthcare reduce the capacity of vulnerable groups to cope with these challenges.
Access to Water and Public Transport
Only about 65 per cent of urban households have piped water access. Supply is unreliable and often insufficient. Public transport access is limited and unevenly distributed. Urban programmes focus more on smart mobility and commercial zones rather than inclusive transport solutions. Bus services receive minimal budget share despite being vital for lower-income groups.
Urban Governance and Financial Constraints
Urban development is managed by state governments with central support. Cities lack financial autonomy and revenue powers. Over 50 per cent of municipal corporations fail to cover half their expenses from own revenues. This limits their ability to improve services. Large urban schemes prioritise cost recovery, often excluding poorer residents. Smaller cities face even greater financial challenges.
Housing and Affordability Issues
Affordable housing remains a key problem. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) offers subsidies but eligibility depends on creditworthiness, excluding many low-income families. Recent reforms aim to improve access through credit risk guarantees and increased financial support for economically weaker sections. However, housing shortages and informal settlements persist.
Participation and Inclusivity in Urban Planning
People’s participation in urban planning is limited. Ward Committees intended to promote local involvement are often inactive or irregular. This leads to elitist city plans that neglect the needs of the urban poor. Digital platforms for public input tend to favour privileged groups. Strengthening local governance and inclusive planning is crucial for sustainable urban development.
Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Cities
Increasing public investment is essential to close service gaps. Cities should gain autonomy to design plans and manage taxes. Private financing must be regulated to protect vulnerable populations. Urban policies should integrate local knowledge and promote people-centric approaches. This can help create equitable and sustainable urban futures aligned with SDG 11.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically discuss the role of urban governance and financial autonomy in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 11 in India.
- Examine the impact of air pollution and water scarcity on urban health and resilience. How can policy interventions address these issues?
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges of affordable housing in Indian cities and the effectiveness of government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban).
- Analyse the importance of participatory urban planning in encouraging inclusive cities. How can local governance structures be strengthened to ensure equitable development?
