NEW DELHI: Urbanization should be seen as an opportunity to transform Indian cities into sustainable and inclusive growth hubs, said Durga Shankar Mishra, former Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), at the ASSOCHAM Real Estate Conference 2025.
He pointed out that under the Viksit Bharat vision, India’s urban population is projected to reach about 880 million by 2047, emphasizing the need for proactive and forward-thinking urban planning. “Real estate currently contributes nearly 13% to India’s GDP, with the affordable housing and development sector expanding at almost 10% annually,” Mishra noted, underscoring the sector’s importance as a key driver of national economic growth.
“By embracing innovative urban planning and infrastructure solutions, we can create environments that enhance the quality of life for millions, while steering the nation toward a more prosperous and resilient future,” Mishra stated.
Gurjeet Singh Dhillon, director (AMRUT), highlighted that infrastructure development under the AMRUT mission goes beyond just physical assets. “We are empowering cities to become engines of economic growth and social equity through targeted interventions in water supply, sanitation, green spaces, and urban mobility,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Anna Roy, principal economic adviser at NITI Aayog, stressed the importance of aligning digital public infrastructure with a green urban transition. “Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), municipal finance reforms, and grassroots capacity building are crucial to our vision for developing sustainable, resilient, and livable cities,” she added.
