Work towards making cities secure, resilient, inclusive and future-ready: Union Minister

New Delhi, October 8 – The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) ran the 2025 World Habitat Day event on a theme that matters: Urban Solutions to Crisis. The gathering at Vigyan Bhawan was a mix of speeches, panels and award ceremonies, showcasing how cities across India can become more resilient, inclusive and sustainable.

Who was there?

Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, opened the day. Key ministers and officials followed, including Secretary MoHUA Srinivas Katikithala, Additional Secretary Satinder Pal Singh, and Joint Secretary Kuldip Narayan of the Housing for All division. UN‑India Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp and senior heads from HUDCO, NHB and other autonomous bodies signed up for the event.

A call to action for cities

Sahu highlighted that sustainable urbanisation is a driver of national development. He urged the country to make every city a dignified place that offers real opportunities for its residents. “If we invest wisely in resilience and empower local governments through public‑private‑people partnerships,” he said, “our cities will not only survive crises but also become engines of growth.”

Secretary Katikithala added that the day’s theme reaffirms India’s pledge to build cities that can weather climate change, support migration streams, and handle rapid urbanisation. He spoke of a future‑ready India where infrastructure, social systems and economies are tightly knit and adaptable.

Scheme spotlight

The Ministry showcased flagship programmes that are central to this vision: PM‑AYU (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana‑Urban), AMRUT, PM SVANidhi and the Swachh Bharat Mission. These schemes target vulnerable and marginalised communities, blending infrastructure development with social inclusion and climate action.

Highlights from the day

• The Housing for All division released a new “Compendium of Good” documenting best practices from states and Union Territories in implementing PM‑AYU.
• A prize‑giving ceremony celebrated the winners of school painting contests, including works by specially–abled children. The contests were organised by NHB, HUDCO, CGEWHO, and BMTPC.
• Panels tackled pressing topics such as “Integration of Urban and Peri‑Urban Areas into Metropolitan Cities”, “Responding to Urban Flooding”, and “Equitable Cities”. Policymakers, researchers, and state officials shared insights, emphasizing that no citizen should be left behind.

Bottom line

World Habitat Day 2025 was a platform for leaders to reaffirm India’s commitment to resilient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. With strong policy frameworks, people‑centric schemes, and active public‑private collaboration, the country is stepping up its efforts to turn urban challenges into engines of growth and prosperity.

Source: ianslive


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