India is facing significant challenges as its major cities struggle with toxic air, poor road conditions, and improper waste management. Despite rapid GDP growth, urban areas are not improving as expected. Key cities like Mumbai remain burdened by various infrastructural issues.
Historical Governance Issues
The root of the problem lies in the governance model of Indian cities. Vinayak Chatterjee, an infrastructure expert, highlights that India’s constitution did not foresee the massive urban expansion. According to Chatterjee, “Our cities don’t have a credible governance model.”
Urban Population Growth
Currently, over half a billion Indians reside in urban areas, representing nearly 40% of the nation’s population. This is a dramatic increase from just 70 million in 1960. Local governance was intended to improve with the 74th amendment of the Constitution in 1992, which aimed to decentralize urban governance.
Implementation Challenges
- Many provisions of the 74th amendment have yet to be fully executed.
- Vested political interests often hinder the empowerment of local bodies.
In contrast, China achieves effective urban governance through a highly centralized planning model. Local governments are given implementation freedom while being closely monitored. Ramanath Jha from the Observer Research Foundation points out that cities in China are assigned clear national objectives, incentivizing performance.
Comparison with China
In China, mayors of major cities hold significant power over urban planning and infrastructure development. These positions are critical for career advancement, supported by strong connections within the Communist Party. This is not the case in India, where the names of city mayors often remain unknown to the public.
As Indian cities grapple with issues like toxic air, bad roads, and waste problems, the lack of a strong governance framework hampers their potential for regeneration. The disparity in urban management models between India and China highlights the need for effective local governance in tackling these pressing challenges.
