Urban Infrastructure

The country's urban population is growing faster than official numbers indicate. While policymakers seem to have an inkling of this, three measures could help ensure a regular supply of robust data. Here’s what ought to be done

Indians seem to excel in the spectacle of rescues, but neglect meaningful measures of safety. Displays of heroic actions by bystanders that attract applause ought to make us think about the state this country is in.

As India invests heavily in transport infrastructure, it mustn’t neglect the cost imposed by patchy final-stretch connectivity. For those reliant on public transport, it could be the difference between a brighter future and missed opportunities.

As urban incomes and spending ascend, a new report by PRICE and Tata Sons shows how India’s 100 top cities are driving the economy ahead. With their diversity, dynamism and resilience, they could serve as an urbanization lab for the world.

A new study shows that a few cities account for outsized chunks of income and spending. While urbanization is integral to economic development, its pace needs to be less uneven across India—and it must go hand-in-hand with better civic amenities.

Indian cities occupy low ranks on a global urban liveability index that places Copenhagen on top this year, while once-scrappy Chinese cities ascend this chart. Could a policy shift help urban India do better?

The Indian government is creating a standardized methodology to estimate the economic output of cities, known as City Economic Product. The initiative aims to quantify urban economic contributions, aiding in planning and investment, as urban areas contribute nearly 70% of India's economic output.

Many of the country's problems seem to come from the same force that condones driving on the wrong side of the road. India may have solved the problem of extreme poverty, but it must now contend with the challenges of prosperity.