Urbanisation

📖 Urban growth trends

India's urban population has grown steadily, though its urbanisation rate remains lower than many developed and several developing economies. Urban growth is heavily concentrated in a handful of large metropolitan regions, contributing to significant regional imbalances in infrastructure and opportunity.

🏙️ Challenges of urbanisation

• Housing shortage — leading to widespread informal settlements and slums in many cities.
• Infrastructure strain — water supply, sanitation, and transportation systems often struggle to keep pace with population growth.
• Pollution — air and water quality challenges are especially acute in dense urban areas.
• Informal employment — a large share of the urban workforce works in the informal sector, lacking job security or social protections.

🏛️ Policy responses

Key government initiatives include the Smart Cities Mission (launched 2015, aiming to develop 100 technologically advanced, sustainable cities), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) (focused on basic urban infrastructure), and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), targeting affordable housing for urban poor populations.