Path to Viksit Bharat Runs Through Strong, Sustainable Cities: Union Housing Minister Manohar Lal

by- Grihik
Feb 27, 2026

Addressing the 18th Municipalika conference in New Delhi, the minister emphasized that India's urban transformation is entering a "decisive phase," with cities already contributing nearly 70% to GDP and 90% to government revenues. As the urban population is projected to reach 80 crore by 2047, the government is prioritizing infrastructure investment, technology integration, and sustainable development.

New Delhi, February 27, 2026: Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal on Tuesday stated that the country's urban transformation is entering a "decisive phase," asserting that the path to Viksit Bharat by 2047 runs through strong, secure and sustainable cities .

Inaugurating the 18th edition of 'Municipalika' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the minister highlighted that nearly 40 per cent of India's population currently lives in urban areas, with this number expected to rise to around 80 crore over the next 25 years .

Urban Economic Contribution

"Cities already contribute nearly 70 per cent of GDP and close to 90 per cent of revenues. The path to Viksit Bharat runs through strong, secure and sustainable cities," the statement quoted him as saying at the event. He also underlined the need for coordinated governance, policy clarity, infrastructure investment and technology integration .

Key Government Initiatives

Highlighting key government initiatives, Manohar Lal said programmes such as the Swachh Bharat Mission and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban, along with rental housing promotion, metro rail expansion and electric mobility, are strengthening urban infrastructure and service delivery .

He noted that Integrated Command and Control Centres have been set up in 100 cities, supported by over 84,000 CCTV cameras, to enhance safety and governance. The government is targeting 5,000 km of metro connectivity by 2047, he added .

Environmental Sustainability

Emphasizing environmental sustainability, the minister said the Centre is focused on expanding electric vehicle adoption, reducing pollution levels and building greener, more liveable cities .

Municipalika 2026

The three-day event, organised by Fairfest Media in association with the Good Governance India Foundation, brings together representatives from over 300 cities to deliberate on safe, smart and sustainable urban solutions .

The conference serves as a platform for urban planners, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss innovative approaches to urban development aligned with India's long-term vision for 2047 .