On urban infrastructure development – Planning for megapolises

Source: The post is based on the article “Planning for megapolises” published in “Business Standard” on 4th November 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Indian Society – Urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
GS Paper 3 Indian Economy – Infrastructure.

News: The article discusses the extensive construction and infrastructure development in Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai, which includes new transport links and real estate. However, this rapid growth brings challenges like traffic and pollution.

What is the National Urban Policy Framework?

The National Urban Policy Framework (NUPF) is India’s plan for future city development.
It follows two main ideas. First, it has ten basic principles, called sutras. Second, these principles are used in ten areas of city life and management. Each area is examined for current issues, goals are set, and actions are recommended.

Here are the 10 guiding principles simplified:

1. Cities are made up of people’s skills and talents.
2. Cities need their own unique identity.
3. City plans should change and grow, not be fixed.
4. Cities should be built to use space well.
5. There should be public areas for people to meet.
6. Cities need many types of transport systems.
7. Cities should not harm the environment.
8. Cities need to make and manage their own money.
9. One clear leader should guide a city.
10. Cities should help the area around them grow too.

How is Mumbai’s infrastructure evolving?

Metro Expansion: New metro lines are being constructed to improve connectivity in the suburbs, which is a significant leap in public transit for the city.

Road Infrastructure: A coastal road project is in progress, expected to manage four times the traffic compared to the current sea link.

Trans-Harbour Link: A 22-kilometer trans-harbour link nearing completion promises to enhance the connection between Mumbai and the mainland, potentially transforming traffic flow and commerce.

New Airport: Construction of a new airport is underway, anticipating the future growth of Mumbai’s population and its increasing air travel demands.

Real Estate Boom: Real estate development is booming, with construction areas expanding, indicating a major urban transformation.

What are the potential challenges posed by infrastructure development in the city?

Traffic Congestion: Despite new transport links, the infrastructure struggles to keep pace with the growing needs. As observed in Delhi and Bengaluru, better roads often lead to more traffic, not less.

Pollution: The construction activities, especially in Mumbai, are contributing to high levels of air pollution. This could worsen as development continues.

Resource Strain: The increase in construction approvals could lead to a surge in population growth. This would put additional pressure on water supply and waste management systems.

Land Scarcity: Although improved connections can mitigate land scarcity by integrating neighboring regions, they can also lead to uncontrolled urban sprawl, as seen with the expansion of Delhi through Gurgaon and Noida.

Socio-economic Challenges: The redevelopment of areas like Dharavi slum leads to displacement and socio-economic issues that need to be carefully managed.

What does the future of megacities look like?

Integrated Expansion: Megacities like Mumbai are expanding their infrastructure with projects like the new airport and the 22-km trans-harbour link that will integrate different city regions and the mainland.

Urban Sprawl: As transport links improve, cities are likely to spread out further, resembling vast urban sprawls.

Planning for Growth: The experiences of Delhi and Mumbai suggest that infrastructure may not fully keep pace with growth. Forward-thinking planning is required to ensure that megacities can handle the expansion without falling into patterns of traffic congestion and resource strain.

Sustainable Development: The future of megacities hinges on sustainable development that balances growth with environmental considerations and resource management to avoid issues like excessive pollution and water scarcity.

Question for practice:

How can the National Urban Policy Framework help mitigate the challenges of rapid urbanization and infrastructure development in Indian megacities?