Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Why in News?

Recently, the World Bank has released a report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India estimating Indian cities will require $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services.

What is key findings of the report?

• Increase in population growth – The country’s urban population will nearly double to 951 million by 2050

• Job creation – Cities will account for 70 % of all new employment generated 2030.

• Increase in flood risk – Climate change and urbanization patterns are the main drivers of stormwater-related or pluvial flooding risks, with a forecasted increase in risk of 3.6 to 7 times by 2070.

  • Annual estimated losses just from pluvial flood related flooding are likely to increase up to $14-30 billion by 2070, exposing up to 46.4 million people.

• Higher fatalities – Heat-related deaths can double to over 3 lakh each year by 2050 due to global warming and the urban heat island phenomenon.

  • It found that Among 10 large cities in India, from the period 1983-1990 to 2010-2016, exposure to dangerous extreme heat stress has increased by 71 %.

What are the recommendations of the report?

• Enhance autonomy – Indian cities should be granted greater autonomy to invest in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.

  • Evidence suggests that cities with more decision-making power tend to outperform others in implementing effective climate solutions.

• Localized approaches – Climate strategies tailored to local conditions rather than imposed uniformly across all states.

• National and state-level support – Coordinated interventions at national and state levels are crucial to support and amplify local efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation.

• Boosting private sector engagement – Encouraging greater participation from private enterprises in city-level climate initiatives.

• Creating a financing roadmap – Establishing clear pathways for sustainable funding and investment in climate projects.

• Building municipal capacities – Setting standards and providing resources to strengthen the capabilities of urban local bodies.

• Capital mobilization – Blending public-private funds accelerates resilient urban infrastructure development.

What are the challenges in enhancing urban autonomy?

• Weak devolution of powers – 74th Constitutional Amendment aimed to empower states to delegate responsibilities like urban planning, land use regulation, supply management, and slum improvement to ULBs.

• However, many states have fallen short in fully realizing this potential.

• Inadequate financial resources – ULBs frequently face significant financial constraints that hinder their ability to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and policies.

• Weak institutional capacity – Many ULBs also struggle with insufficient technical skills and administrative capabilities necessary to design and implement effective climate adaptation strategies.

• Lack of structured governance – The absence of coordination among various urban authorities obstructs the seamless integration of climate resilience measures across different sectors.

• Inadequate data – Lack of access to accurate and current data regarding climate risks and urban infrastructure, which are crucial for making informed decisions.

What lies ahead?

• Measures like shifting working hours to early morning and late afternoon, urban greening, early warning systems, and cool roofs can save over 1.3 lakh lives.

• Building climate resilient infrastructure is needed for both growth and sustenance in future.

Related links – Urban flooding | Urban Heat Island

Reference

The Indian Express| Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Why in News?

Recently, the World Bank has released a report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India estimating Indian cities will require $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services.

What is key findings of the report?

• Increase in population growth – The country’s urban population will nearly double to 951 million by 2050

• Job creation – Cities will account for 70 % of all new employment generated 2030.

• Increase in flood risk – Climate change and urbanization patterns are the main drivers of stormwater-related or pluvial flooding risks, with a forecasted increase in risk of 3.6 to 7 times by 2070.

  • Annual estimated losses just from pluvial flood related flooding are likely to increase up to $14-30 billion by 2070, exposing up to 46.4 million people.

• Higher fatalities – Heat-related deaths can double to over 3 lakh each year by 2050 due to global warming and the urban heat island phenomenon.

  • It found that Among 10 large cities in India, from the period 1983-1990 to 2010-2016, exposure to dangerous extreme heat stress has increased by 71 %.

What are the recommendations of the report?

• Enhance autonomy – Indian cities should be granted greater autonomy to invest in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.

  • Evidence suggests that cities with more decision-making power tend to outperform others in implementing effective climate solutions.

• Localized approaches – Climate strategies tailored to local conditions rather than imposed uniformly across all states.

• National and state-level support – Coordinated interventions at national and state levels are crucial to support and amplify local efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation.

• Boosting private sector engagement – Encouraging greater participation from private enterprises in city-level climate initiatives.

• Creating a financing roadmap – Establishing clear pathways for sustainable funding and investment in climate projects.

• Building municipal capacities – Setting standards and providing resources to strengthen the capabilities of urban local bodies.

• Capital mobilization – Blending public-private funds accelerates resilient urban infrastructure development.

What are the challenges in enhancing urban autonomy?

• Weak devolution of powers – 74th Constitutional Amendment aimed to empower states to delegate responsibilities like urban planning, land use regulation, supply management, and slum improvement to ULBs.

• However, many states have fallen short in fully realizing this potential.

• Inadequate financial resources – ULBs frequently face significant financial constraints that hinder their ability to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and policies.

• Weak institutional capacity – Many ULBs also struggle with insufficient technical skills and administrative capabilities necessary to design and implement effective climate adaptation strategies.

• Lack of structured governance – The absence of coordination among various urban authorities obstructs the seamless integration of climate resilience measures across different sectors.

• Inadequate data – Lack of access to accurate and current data regarding climate risks and urban infrastructure, which are crucial for making informed decisions.

What lies ahead?

• Measures like shifting working hours to early morning and late afternoon, urban greening, early warning systems, and cool roofs can save over 1.3 lakh lives.

• Building climate resilient infrastructure is needed for both growth and sustenance in future.

Related links – Urban flooding | Urban Heat Island

Reference

The Indian Express| Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Why in News?

Recently, the World Bank has released a report titled Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India estimating Indian cities will require $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build climate-resilient infrastructure and services.

What is key findings of the report?

• Increase in population growth – The country’s urban population will nearly double to 951 million by 2050

• Job creation – Cities will account for 70 % of all new employment generated 2030.

• Increase in flood risk – Climate change and urbanization patterns are the main drivers of stormwater-related or pluvial flooding risks, with a forecasted increase in risk of 3.6 to 7 times by 2070.

  • Annual estimated losses just from pluvial flood related flooding are likely to increase up to $14-30 billion by 2070, exposing up to 46.4 million people.

• Higher fatalities – Heat-related deaths can double to over 3 lakh each year by 2050 due to global warming and the urban heat island phenomenon.

  • It found that Among 10 large cities in India, from the period 1983-1990 to 2010-2016, exposure to dangerous extreme heat stress has increased by 71 %.

What are the recommendations of the report?

• Enhance autonomy – Indian cities should be granted greater autonomy to invest in climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation.

  • Evidence suggests that cities with more decision-making power tend to outperform others in implementing effective climate solutions.

• Localized approaches – Climate strategies tailored to local conditions rather than imposed uniformly across all states.

• National and state-level support – Coordinated interventions at national and state levels are crucial to support and amplify local efforts in climate adaptation and mitigation.

• Boosting private sector engagement – Encouraging greater participation from private enterprises in city-level climate initiatives.

• Creating a financing roadmap – Establishing clear pathways for sustainable funding and investment in climate projects.

• Building municipal capacities – Setting standards and providing resources to strengthen the capabilities of urban local bodies.

• Capital mobilization – Blending public-private funds accelerates resilient urban infrastructure development.

What are the challenges in enhancing urban autonomy?

• Weak devolution of powers – 74th Constitutional Amendment aimed to empower states to delegate responsibilities like urban planning, land use regulation, supply management, and slum improvement to ULBs.

• However, many states have fallen short in fully realizing this potential.

• Inadequate financial resources – ULBs frequently face significant financial constraints that hinder their ability to implement climate-resilient infrastructure and policies.

• Weak institutional capacity – Many ULBs also struggle with insufficient technical skills and administrative capabilities necessary to design and implement effective climate adaptation strategies.

• Lack of structured governance – The absence of coordination among various urban authorities obstructs the seamless integration of climate resilience measures across different sectors.

• Inadequate data – Lack of access to accurate and current data regarding climate risks and urban infrastructure, which are crucial for making informed decisions.

What lies ahead?

• Measures like shifting working hours to early morning and late afternoon, urban greening, early warning systems, and cool roofs can save over 1.3 lakh lives.

• Building climate resilient infrastructure is needed for both growth and sustenance in future.

Related links – Urban flooding | Urban Heat Island

Reference

The Indian Express| Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India Report

Challenges in Prohibiting Plastic Pollution

Why in News?

Recently, environmental activists and health experts are drawing attention to how the plastic industry mirrors the tobacco industry’s strategies and how plastic pollution increases in Global South nations like India.

How plastic industry influences policy making?

• Plastic industries backed by fossil fuel giants, mirrors tobacco industry strategy to evade its scrutiny and its responsibility.

Why Global South is vulnerable to increasing plastic pollution?

• Shifting focus of producers - Plastic producers of developed nations are shifting towards Global South countries because the rules are less strict comparing to Global North.
• Limited public awareness – It results in increasing demand and consumption of harmful plastics by the public.
• Demand by consumers – Plastics products are cheap and easy to carry.
  • OECD’s ‘Global Plastic Outlook’ report in 2022 - Plastic consumption is projected to more than double in Sub-Saharan Africa and triple in Asia while its growth in North America and Europe will be moderate in same period of time.
• Weaker environmental laws – Global South countries have weak law to control the plastic pollution.
• Lack of enforcement – Even the existing regulation are not enforced consistently and strictly.
• Inadequate waste management systems – These nations doesn’t have proper waste collection and recycle system.

What are challenges in regulating plastic pollution in India?

• Lack of coverage – India’s ban of 19 single-use plastics covers only around 11% of its single-use plastic waste.
• Weak enforcement – The ban on selected items are has been changeable and exceptions are also provided for certain productions.
• Increasing waste generation – It creates pressure on existing systems.
• Health risks –People suffer from respiratory illnesses and infections.
• Social risks – Sanitation workers live below the poverty line, lacking stable incomes and less social protections.

What lies ahead?

• Launching public education campaigns may raise awareness about the false environment claims of companies with regard to plastic recycling.
• Countries can implement rigorous and legally binding labeling protocols to ensure accurate representation of plastic recyclability.
• Legally recognizing and incorporating waste pickers into formal waste management processes can be done to ensure that they receive employment rights and social benefits.

Reference

The Hindu| Influence of Plastic Industry in Green Policies

India’s Fourth Female Grandmaster

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in News?

Recently, the 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final clash against compatriot Koneru Humpy to become India’s fourth female Grandmaster.

Other three Indian women who achieved GM titles were Koneru Humpy, Harika and R. Vaishali.

• The Grandmaster (GM) title – It is the highest designation in chess, awarded by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the international chess governing body.

The International Chess Federation commonly called by its French acronym FIDE, is an international organization based in Switzerland that connects the various national chess federations.

• Eligibility Criteria
• Traditional Route - Successfully obtaining 3 GM norms across at least 27 games, alongside achieving a FIDE rating of 2500, is essential for earning the Grandmaster title.
• Shortcut - Certain exceptional tournament results can grant automatic titles or norms independent of the standard requirements.
  • Examples - Arab Individual Championship, Continental Individual Championship, Junior World Championship (Under 20), Women’s World Cup, or the World Cup.
• GM Norms - Norms are performance indicators achieved in tournaments.
• A player must participate in events with at least 9 rounds and feature a sufficient number of titled players.      
• To achieve a GM norm, a player must maintain a tournament performance rating (TPR) of 2500+.
• Compete against a field where at least one-third are GMs and represented by players from different federations.

Reference                                                              

The Indiane Express| India’s Fourth Female Grandmaster

Kudavolai System of Cholas

Prelims – Current events of National and International importance | History of India

Why in News?

Recently, PM visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram, highlighted that Chola Empire’s democratic method existed centuries before the british Magna carta.

• It is a method of voting process in a democratic way, also known as “ballot pot” election for village assemblies.
• Process - The names of eligible candidates were inscribed on palm leaves and placed inside a pot.
• A young boy, typically chosen for his impartiality, would draw the lot in full public view.
• This randomized draw was not a game of chance but a civic ritual rooted in transparency, fairness, and collective consent.
• The process was mentioned in the Uttaramerur Inscriptions of Kanchipuram.
• Eligibility of the candidates
  • Possession of Land - Candidates had to own tax-paying land.
  • Age criteria - Between 35 and 70 years old.
  • Possessing Vedic Knowledge – He should have knowledge of Vedic texts or administration.
  • No crime records – He should not have no record of crime or domestic abuse.
• Disqualification criteria
  • Debt defaulters, alcoholics, and close relatives of sitting members were disqualified.
  • Misappropriation of funds or dereliction of duty could lead to disqualification from future office.
• Dismissal - Epigraphia Indica details the dismissal of a treasury officer over embezzlement, followed by a fine.

Reference

The Indian Express | Gangaikonda Cholapuram & Kudavolai system

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS)

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Government Policies and interventions

Why in News?

Recently, the Prime Minister stated that the country’s railway infrastructure has entered a new era of modernisation.

• Aim – Development and upgradation of stations over the Indian Railways network.
• Launched in – 2022.
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Railways.
• It is to make railway stations cleaner, more comfortable and future-ready.
• Phased Implementation - Detailed plans are made for each station and the work is done in phases, based on the needs of each station.
• Some stations are explored under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Key Features
• Modern Passenger Amenities - The railway stations are supposed to have better circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lifts, escalators, free Wi-Fi, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping, etc.
• Some stations will have executive lounges and special areas for business meetings.
• One Station One Product Scheme - Local products will be sold at kiosks under the ‘One Station One Product’ scheme, and efforts will be made to make stations look greener and more attractive.

• Seamless Multimodal Connectivity - It envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration.
• Special care is being taken to make stations friendly for persons with disabilities.
• Aesthetically Designed Stations- Incorporating local cultural elements and architectural themes in station designs.
  • Example - The Ahmedabad station draws inspiration from the Modhera Sun Temple, while Dwarka station is inspired by the Dwarkadheesh Temple.
• Significance - The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme marks a major step towards transforming India’s railway infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing and modern nation.

References

1. The Indian Express| Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
2. Indian Railways | Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Pralay Missile

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance | Science and Technology

Why in News?

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted test flights of the Pralay missile from the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

• Pralay missile
  • It is an indigenously developed solid propellant quasi-ballistic missile.
  • Range point should be added below.
• Developed by - DRDO, Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, several industries, and MSMEs.
• Key Features & Advanced Capabilities
• Range – It is a short-range surface-to-surface missile. It strikes against enemy targets with a range of 150 to 500 km away.
• Speed - Up to Mach 6.1.
• Propulsion System - It uses a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor with a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle (MaRV) technology in the terminal stage.
• It enables mid-flight manoeuvres to evade interception.
• Flight Trajectory - It follows a quasi-ballistic, low-altitude trajectory with the ability to perform mid-air makeovers to evade missile defence systems.
• Guidance System - Equipped with an inertial navigation system and integrated avionics, it offers high-precision targeting with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters.
• Warhead - Capable of carrying conventional warheads weighing between 350 to 1,000 kilograms.
• All-weather connectivity - It has all-weather and day/night capability and utilizes advanced guidance for high precision.

References

1. The Hindu| Successful Test Conducted on Pralay Missile
2. PIB| DRDO Test Trail on Pralay Missile
3. The Indian Express| DRDO Successful Test on Pralay