India’s urban future is under threat. A new World Bank report has warned that without urgent and strategic investments in climate-resilient urban infrastructure, Indian cities could face annual economic losses of up to $30 billion by 2070. The report, titled “Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India”, outlines both the high stakes and a roadmap for action, calling this a “critical opportunity” to shape the future of India’s cities before it’s too late.With the country’s urban population projected to almost double to 951 million by 2050, the report estimates that India will need to build over 144 million new homes by 2070. But rapid urbanisation comes with its own challenges. Already, urban heat island effects are pushing temperatures in city centers 3 to 4 degrees Celsius higher than surrounding rural areas, intensifying the risks from extreme heat waves. The expansion of built-up areas is also reducing the land’s ability to absorb rainwater, making floods more frequent and damaging.
If adaptation is delayed, the report warns, the consequences will be severe. By 2030 alone, annual losses from pluvial flooding could reach $5 billion. By 2070, this could swell to $30 billion annually. Moreover, over 130,000 lives are projected to be at risk from extreme heat impacts by 2050 unless immediate steps are taken.
To mitigate these risks, the World Bank report lays out several priority action areas. Cities must urgently roll out cool roofs, expand green spaces, and implement early warning systems for extreme weather. Better stormwater regulation and infrastructure that can withstand flooding are essential to protect transport networks and utility services. The report also stresses the need for energy-efficient and resilient housing, particularly for vulnerable populations, along with modernisation of solid waste management systems.One of the biggest hurdles will be financing. The report estimates that India will need to invest over $2.4 trillion by 2050 to build the kind of resilient, low-carbon infrastructure and services its growing urban population will require. This will necessitate not just government spending, but deep engagement from the private sector. Unlocking private capital through improved urban governance, regulatory reform, municipal bonds, and public-private partnerships will be crucial.Prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the report is based on a study of 24 Indian cities, with special focus on Delhi, Chennai, Indore, Lucknow, Surat, and Thiruvananthapuram. It concludes that with over 50% of the urban infrastructure needed for 2050 still to be built, India stands at a turning point.The message is clear: India can either continue building cities the way it has, risking rising costs, deadly weather events, and widening inequalities—or it can choose to build smarter, greener, and more resilient cities that can withstand the shocks of a changing climate.(Edited by : Vipal Durge)First Published: Jul 22, 2025 3:23 PM IST
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