India has also been ranked 99th out of 167 countries in Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025. Nevertheless, the gains in the area of sustainable development goal 11 (SDG 11), which aims to ensure cities are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, have been minimal, and infrastructural, services, and governance gaps still persist.
Urban Indicators and Conditions of Living.
SDG 11 monitors slums population, air pollution (PM 2.5), access to piped water, and transportation. India is stagnant in the reduction of slums and pollution and has seen a decrease in access to piped water- in urban households, only 65% had access to it in 2022. The supply is erratic and unsafe often having five hours of water daily in Mumbai. A large number of households purify water prior to use because of contamination.
Slums are under the most severe conditions: almost half of the households reside in a non-pucca house, the water supply is significantly lower than the standards. Mumbai slums get 45 litres per capita/day compared to the normal 135, and even then they have to pay exorbitant fees at the hands of the private tankers. Vulnerabilities are worsened by overcrowding and insecure tenure.
Climate and Environmental Risks.
Pollution, floods, and abnormal weather are very much exposed to the urban poor. Poor infrastructure increases effects of monsoon flood and landslides which result in health complications and loss of income. Urban resiliency indicators are still insufficient.
Governance and Financing Constraints.
The cities do not have much freedom to govern themselves because states dictate policies and fiscal allocations. Most of the municipalities do not have the financial resources, more than half do not have the financial resources to cover half of their expenditures. The small towns are the hardest hit because they have the most significant resource deficit and the inability to attract individuals to invest in them.
City Designs and Accessibility.
Large cities and commercial areas are frequently put in the limelight in major programmes such as Smart City Mission and PMAY-U. Less than 20% completed Smart City projects are made up of water, sanitation, and health projects. The low-income groups are still struggling with housing affordability, and the PMAY-U 2.0 provides credit guarantees to enhance inclusion.
Participation and Way Forward.
The 74 th amendment to the constitution requires Ward committees which most of the time are non-functional and restrict citizen involvement. Unless there is planning that is inclusive, there is a danger that urban development will be biased to the elites.
India must close the service gaps by increasing public investment, giving cities financial autonomy, planning by the community, and tighter regulation of the financing of the private funds. An anthropocentric strategy is a vital aspect of creating equitable, robust, and sustainable cities.