Janaagraha’s Urban Conclave 2026

India stands at the threshold of extraordinary transformation. The vision of Viksit Bharat—a $30 trillion economy by 2047 seems almost within our grasp. Much of this remarkable growth is driven by India's cities, which generate nearly 60% of national GDP while occupying less than 10% of the land. Over 500 million Indians already live in cities, and this number is expected to grow to 800 million by 2047. Urbanisation will be a defining force shaping India’s economy, growth and quality of life in the decades ahead.

Yet for the millions who call India's cities home, this impressive growth has not translated into a better quality of life. Despite sustained investment through flagship programs such as AMRUT, the Smart Cities Mission, PMAY-U and a range of state led reforms, the everyday experience of urban life continues to cause distress to the urban population. Delhi's air pollution, Bangalore's traffic congestion, Mumbai's spiraling housing costs, and the lack of walkability and green spaces across Indian cities are increasingly becoming roadblocks for growth and prosperity.

This is India's urban conundrum: Growth Without Liveability… If current patterns continue, India could face losses of up to $1.8 trillion annually (approximately 6% of GDP by 2050) due to lost productivity, rising healthcare costs, inefficient land use, congestion, climate vulnerability, and mounting fiscal pressure on city systems. Today, urban governance in India has entered a state of permanent urgency where crisis management has become a default mode of functioning. Across the country, city governments are overwhelmed by the demands of everyday survival that multiply as cities expand. But these are not isolated sectoral problems, but symptoms of deeper systemic issues.