[Answered] Examine the fundamental need to reform urban governance in India. Critically analyze the implications of having no elected official for citizens in crisis and for improving civic infrastructure.

Introduction

With India projected to host 416 million new urban residents by 2050 (UN-DESA), weak municipal capacities and absent empowered mayors increasingly undermine service delivery, crisis response, and sustainable infrastructure creation across rapidly expanding cities.

Why Urban Governance Reform Is a Fundamental Necessity

1. Rapid Urbanisation Without Institutional Redesign: India’s urban population will cross 50% by 2047, yet municipal governance structures remain anchored in pre-independence templates.
   The 74th Constitutional Amendment envisioned “urban self-government,” but in practice, cities remain subordinated to State governments, limiting autonomy, finances, and accountability.
2. Historical Centralisation of Power: From Mumbai to Hyderabad to Delhi, Chief Ministers and State bureaucracies control critical city functions—transport, water, policing, land regulation—leaving mayors symbolically elected but administratively irrelevant. The article notes that decisions affecting cities are routinely taken in the Chief Minister’s office, not in municipal councils.
3. Democratic Deficit Due to Weak Local Representation: Cities like Bengaluru have gone 4–5 years without municipal elections. This undermines constitutional mandates and leaves citizens without a directly accountable authority. Global contrast: New York City, London, Paris, Tokyo have financially empowered, directly elected mayors with executive authority, enabling responsiveness.

Implications of No Elected, Empowered Officials During Crises

1. Absence of a Single Point of Accountability: During floods, epidemics, water shortages or infrastructure failures, citizens in Indian cities have no elected official to turn to.
   Residents oscillate between: Ward offices, Parastatals (BWSSB, DDA, MMRDA, DMRC), State ministers, MLAs/MPs. This fragmented administrative architecture defeats responsiveness and transparency. For example: Chennai floods 2015 & 2023, Delhi’s Yamuna floods 2023, and Mumbai monsoon failures all revealed absence of a unified command structure comparable to empowered city mayors abroad.
2. Bureaucratic Overcentralization Reduces Crisis Agility: Crisis management in India depends heavily on State bureaucracy. However, IAS-led parastatals—unaccountable to municipal councils—delay decision-making. Technical agencies overshadow democratic bodies, undermining participatory governance.

Implications for Civic Infrastructure and Urban Public Goods

1. Weak Municipal Finances: Property tax contributes only 0.2–0.3% of GDP in India (World Bank), far below OECD average of 1–3%. Without predictable funding, municipalities cannot independently build roads, drainage networks, waste systems. The article notes persistent struggle for ward offices to secure funds—reflecting poor fiscal decentralisation.
2. Fragmentation Through Parastatals: Urban services are run by State-controlled agencies, not municipalities. Result: misaligned priorities, duplication of functions, and zero local accountability. Ex: Bengaluru Development Authority, Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, Delhi Jal Board — all act autonomously of municipal bodies.
3. Manipulation of Municipal Boundaries to Delay Elections: Division of Bengaluru into five corporations, merging 27 municipalities into GHMC, or restructuring Delhi’s MCD disproportionately serve political objectives rather than functional governance. Such actions postpone elections and weaken the legitimacy of local governments.

The Core Reforms Needed

1. Directly elected, executive mayors with fixed tenure.
2. Fiscal decentralisation with predictable transfers and strengthened property tax regime.
3. Clear functional devolution as per the 12th Schedule.
4. Sunset clauses for parastatals and accountability to municipal councils.
5. Legally binding timelines for municipal elections.
6. Urban governance report cards for transparency.

Conclusion

As the JNNURM and MoHUA Urban Reform Reports affirm, India’s cities need empowered, accountable local governments. Echoing Benjamin Barber’s If Mayors Ruled the World, effective urban democracy is indispensable.