Urban dream: India has many miles to go

• The total number of people who live in urban India, according to Census 2011.
• This is double the population of the Russian Federation.
• The urban share of population in India increased by nine crore in just 10 years - in 2001 it was 28.6 crore.
• Since Independence, the absolute increase in urban population is more than the rural population.

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• The amount of money budgeted for the Ministry of Urban Development in the last five years, translating into an average Rs 11,468 crore every year.
• The average cost per year for urban development can easily build an estimated 115 km four-lane highway in India.
• The funding for urban development doubled from Rs 8,296 crore in 2013-14 to Rs 17,628 crore in 2014-15.

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• The amount of investment required over the next 15 years for urban development, according to a High Powered Expert Committee recommendation of 2011.
• 44% of this investment is required for urban roads, 20% for water, sewerage, solid waste management, storm water drains and streetlights, 14% for transport and traffic infrastructure and only 10.5% of investment is needed for redevelopment of slums.
• Presently, there are 53 cities which are considered urban conglomerations - a rise of 18 new cities from 2001- which are the targets of this huge investment.

• The number of sanctioned projects that were completed across nine sectors under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) - which was a scheme launched in 2005 for urban modernisation.
• These sectors are : Water supply, sewerage, storm water drains, solid waste management, roads, development of heritage areas, urban renewal, mass rapid transport system and other transport system (foot over bridge, subway etc)
• The total approved cost of the projects: Rs 14, 281 crore.

• The number of Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) projects completed by Gujarat under JNNURM.
• Gujarat is followed by Maharashtra (44 projects completed), Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Andhra and Karnataka have completed 26 projects each.
• The worst performing state is West Bengal, having completed a fourth of its designated projects.

• The share of projects under Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) that have been completed against sanctioned projects.
• These projects are currently operational in 904 cities across India. A total of Rs 26,816 crore was approved.
• 80% of the approved cost is central financial assistance; of this only around 60% was released.

• Or about Rs 1,122 at today's rate, is what India spent per capita per year on urban infrastructure, according to the 12th Plan.
• China spends around $116 and New York spends $ 292. Moreover, according to the consulting firm McKinsey, urban India needs to spend $ 288 till 2030 on Tier 1 cities (more than 40 lakh population) to meet the requirements of the burgeoning urban populace.
• Meanwhile, reports show that by 2030, India's largest cities will be bigger than many other countries of today.

• The number of urban poor in India and whose monthly per capita expenditure stands at around Rs 2,477 according to the Census 2011.
• These people depend on the State's help but as per recent data, water supply in India is available for only 2.9 hours a day in cities and towns. 30%-50% do not even have sewerage connections.
• In another 10 years from now, nearly half a billion Indians ( or bigger than the population of China, USA and Western Europe put together ) will need new urban homes.

• The number of 'smart cities' that the government has envisaged at Rs 100 crore per city per year.
• The central government plans to spend Rs 48,000 crore over the next five years; the rest will be met by contributions from states and urban local bodies.
• The idea is extremely challenging given that delay in projects and inadequate financing in urban infrastructure is the norm.