India Should Liberate Its Metropolitan Cities

India Should Liberate Its Metropolitan Cities

Why India Should Liberate Its Metropolitan Cities and Make Them Full-Fledged States

Economic Efficiency and Focused Development

1.?????? Enhanced Resource Allocation: Metropolitan cities are the economic engines of India, contributing significantly to the country's GDP. By granting them statehood, resources can be allocated more efficiently, tailored specifically to the unique needs and challenges of urban centers, leading to optimized economic growth.

2.?????? Focused Infrastructure Development: Independent statehood allows metropolitan cities to prioritize and expedite infrastructure projects like transportation, housing, and utilities, which are crucial for supporting large urban populations and fostering economic activities.

Governance and Administrative Efficiency

3.?????? Streamlined Governance: Metropolitan cities face unique administrative challenges that differ from rural and semi-urban areas. A separate state government can provide more focused governance, addressing urban-specific issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and public transportation more effectively.

4.?????? Improved Public Services: With autonomy, metropolitan cities can better manage public services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation. This leads to improved quality of life for residents and attracts more skilled labor and investment.

Political Representation and Accountability

5.?????? Better Representation: As separate states, metropolitan cities will have more representation in the national parliament, ensuring that their specific needs and issues receive adequate attention at the national level.

6.?????? Increased Accountability: A dedicated state government for each metropolitan city would be more accountable to the urban population, leading to more responsive and transparent governance.

Social and Cultural Benefits

7.?????? Preservation of Cultural Identity: Metropolitan cities are cultural melting pots with rich histories and diverse populations. Statehood can help preserve and promote their unique cultural identities and heritage.

8.?????? Social Cohesion and Stability: Focused governance can address social issues such as housing shortages, slum development, and crime more effectively, leading to enhanced social cohesion and stability.

Economic Benefits

9.?????? Attracting Investments: Statehood can provide a more stable and attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investors, leading to increased economic activities and job creation in metropolitan areas.

10.?? Economic Diversification: With the ability to formulate their own economic policies, metropolitan cities can diversify their economies, reduce dependency on traditional sectors, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Case Studies and Global Examples

11.?? Successful Global Examples: Cities like Berlin (Germany), Washington D.C. (USA), and Buenos Aires (Argentina) function effectively as separate entities with distinct administrative frameworks, contributing significantly to their respective national economies.

12.?? Indian Precedents: The creation of smaller states in India, such as Telangana and Uttarakhand, has shown positive outcomes in terms of governance and development. Metropolitan cities can similarly benefit from focused administrative attention.

Challenges and Counterarguments

13.?? Addressing Concerns of Regional Disparities: Critics may argue that statehood for metropolitan cities could lead to regional disparities. However, a balanced approach with equitable resource distribution can ensure that other regions do not suffer as a result.

14.?? Integration with Surrounding Areas: Proper planning and coordination mechanisms can ensure that metropolitan cities, as separate states, remain well-integrated with surrounding regions, fostering overall regional development.

India’s rapid urbanization

India is experiencing a rapid transformation towards urbanization. By 2036, it is projected that India's towns and cities will be home to 600 million people, accounting for 40% of the population, a significant increase from 31% in 2011. Urban areas are expected to contribute nearly 70% to the country's GDP, highlighting the critical role cities will play in India's economic future.

The Importance of Managing Urban Transformation

Effective management of this urban transformation is essential for India to achieve its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047, marking its 100th year of independence. The development of robust infrastructure is pivotal for creating livable, climate-resilient, and inclusive cities that can drive economic growth. This includes not only physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and buildings but also social infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and recreational facilities.

Infrastructure Needs and Investment Requirements

A significant portion of the required urban infrastructure for 2047 is yet to be constructed. It is estimated that nearly 70% of the urban infrastructure needed by 2047 still needs to be built. This necessitates substantial investments. By 2036, India will need to invest approximately $840 billion in urban infrastructure, translating to an average of $55 billion annually, or 1.2% of the GDP each year. This investment is crucial for developing the necessary facilities and systems to support the growing urban population.

Current Investment Gaps

However, there is a significant gap between the required investments and the current expenditure levels. Between 2011 and 2018, India's total capital expenditure on urban infrastructure averaged only 0.6% of GDP, which is half the necessary investment. This shortfall indicates a pressing need for increased funding and more efficient allocation of resources to urban development projects.

Strategic Approaches to Urbanization

a)????? Increased Capital Expenditure: The government must prioritize urban infrastructure in its budget allocations, aiming to meet or exceed the required 1.2% of GDP investment annually.

b)????? Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Leveraging PPPs can help mobilize additional resources, bring in private sector efficiency, and share the financial burden of infrastructure development.

c)?????? Smart City Initiatives: Implementing smart city technologies can improve urban management, enhance service delivery, and make cities more sustainable and livable.

d)????? Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Investments must focus on building infrastructure that can withstand climate change impacts, ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience.

e)????? Inclusive Development: Urban planning should emphasize inclusivity, ensuring that infrastructure development benefits all sections of society, including marginalized and vulnerable groups.

f)?????? Efficient Resource Management: Adopting advanced urban planning and management techniques can optimize resource use and reduce wastage, maximizing the impact of investments.

India's rapid urbanization presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Properly managed, it can significantly contribute to economic growth and development, helping India achieve its goal of becoming a developed country by 2047. However, this requires substantial and sustained investment in urban infrastructure, strategic planning, and efficient management. By addressing these needs, India can create cities that are not only economically productive but also livable, resilient, and inclusive, setting the stage for a prosperous future.

We Have to Free Our Cities from the State's Clutches

India’s rapid urbanization is a transformative epoch in its history. From a primarily agrarian society rooted in villages, India is evolving into a nation dominated by towns and cities. The last time such a transformation occurred was during the Mahabharata era, when advancements in agricultural technology reshaped the subcontinent's ecology, geography, and economy. Today, scientific, technological, and industrial progress is driving this change, rendering many rural livelihoods obsolete and making cities more attractive and productive for work. Consequently, a vast migration from villages to cities is underway.

However, this rapid urban growth has led to a severe crisis in Indian cities. Overcrowded and burdened by inadequate infrastructure, cities are becoming increasingly polluted, unhygienic, and congested. Social services and amenities are either non-existent or severely lacking, with local governments struggling to manage. This situation is creating a downward spiral of urban decay, stagnant productivity, and underdevelopment. The pressing question is whether we can transform our cities into efficient, livable, and sustainable environments, fostering happiness and prosperity.

When grappling with these challenges, it’s helpful to recall the urbanization struggles of the West. Nineteenth-century London and Paris were plagued by overcrowding, pollution, and filth, vividly depicted in the writings of Engels and Dickens. Yet, over a century, Western nations managed to turn their cities around. Incremental improvements in infrastructure, transportation, housing, education, healthcare, and recreation gradually made urban life more comfortable, healthier, and happier, thereby enhancing productivity.

Western cities managed to convert the wealth generated by urban productivity into infrastructure investments that improved the well-being of urban populations. This created a virtuous cycle of urbanization and economic growth, leading to human, social, and economic development.

Key Factors in Urban Transformation

The success of urban transformation can be attributed to several factors:

a)????? Self-Governance and Autonomy: Western cities were self-governing and autonomous, free from excessive control by higher levels of government. Local elites played a significant role in governance, leading the development efforts.

b)????? Resource Mobilization: Local governments had the authority to raise their own resources and the autonomy to allocate them as they saw fit. This financial independence was crucial for targeted urban development.

c)?????? Comprehensive Control: Local governments had comprehensive jurisdiction, including police powers, allowing them to manage all aspects of city life effectively.

d)????? Democratic Accountability: Local governance was democratic, with leaders accountable to their local populations. To be re-elected, local politicians had to address the needs and well-being of their electorates.

The Need for Local Autonomy in India

To replicate the success of Western cities, Indian cities must be liberated from the clutches of state-level control. The responsibility of urban development cannot remain solely with state politicians. Instead, local governments need the autonomy to:

a)????? Raise and manage their own resources.

b)????? Plan and execute infrastructure projects.

c)?????? Provide essential services tailored to urban needs.

d)????? Ensure accountability through democratic local governance.

By granting local governments the autonomy to govern their cities, India can foster the development of urban areas that are efficient, livable, and sustainable. This will not only improve the quality of life for urban residents but also enhance productivity, driving economic growth and development.

In conclusion, freeing our cities from state control and empowering local governments is essential for addressing the urbanization challenges India faces today. This approach will enable cities to develop the infrastructure and services necessary to support their populations and become thriving centers of economic and social activity.

Liberating India’s metropolitan cities and granting them statehood is a strategic move that can lead to more efficient governance, better resource allocation, and enhanced economic growth. By addressing the unique challenges and harnessing the immense potential of these urban centers, India can create vibrant, sustainable, and globally competitive metropolitan states.

Major metro cities (Metropolitan Areas) as separate full states

Sr. No. Metropolitan City Population (Lakhs) Area (sq. km)

1 Delhi (NCR) 581.50 55,083

2 Mumbai (MMRDA) 235.98 6,328

3 Kolkata 158.70 1,876

4 Bangalore 114.90 8,005

5 Chennai 86.96 5,904

6 Hyderabad 76.77 7,257

7 Pune 72.76 7,256

8 Ahmedabad 63.57 1,866

9 Surat 45.91 722

10 Jaipur 30.73 484

CA Harshad Shah, Mumbai [email protected]