Cities key to realising developed India vision by 2047: PK Mishra

Indian cities must be economically productive, environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, technologically advanced and institutionally resilient to realise the vision of a developed nation by 2047, PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said on Saturday.

Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), Mishra said urban development must be at the core of India’s transformation as the country moves towards becoming a developed nation.

“The aspiration of Viksit Bharat is not only to build a larger economy but to build a nation that is more prepared, more inclusive, and more capable of navigating uncertainties with confidence.

“India’s development pathway must therefore move beyond resilience towards building adaptive and anti-fragile systems that not only withstand disruptions, but also become stronger through change in the midst of uncertainty,” Mishra said.

He also said that as cities remain at the forefront of climate-related stresses, future urban development must focus on proactive planning, nature-based solutions, green infrastructure and sustainable urban systems to build resilient, inclusive and climate-sensitive cities.

“India’s cities must be economically productive, environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, technologically advanced, and institutionally resilient,” he said.

India’s urbanisation represents one of the greatest opportunities for economic growth, innovation, productivity and improved quality of life, Mishra added.

“The story of Viksit Bharat will, to a large extent, be shaped through transformation of cities. India’s cities are engines of economic growth, talent and innovation, and managing this transition effectively will require careful planning, infrastructure investment, environmental stewardship and strong institutional coordination,” he said.

Mishra also said that governance in the 21st century must be increasingly data-driven, real-time, evidence-based and resilient.

“India’s digital public infrastructure, as I have already mentioned, and technology-driven initiatives have significantly improved transparency, efficiency and citizen service,” he said.