Towards Atma Nirbhar cities
From 2004 to 2014, the total expenditure on urban development in 10 years was around Rs 1.57 lakh crore. Over the
Hardeep S Puri
(The writer is Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs)
From 2004 to 2014, the total expenditure on urban development in 10 years was around Rs 1.57 lakh crore. Over the past six years, this figure has been Rs 10.57 lakh crore. A 2010 Mckinsey &Company report estimates that by 2030, 40 per cent of our population or 590 million Indians are expected to live in cities. To cater to this growing urban population, India has to build 700-900 million square metres of urban space every year until 2030- a new Chicago every year from now till 2030 to meet our urban demands, which also means 70% of India of the future is yet to be built. The challenge, and opportunity, is not only to transform our cities into robust economic behemoths but to also improve the living conditions for millions of Indians over the