“We can’t run cities from state capitals”: Shri Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog at 2nd National Urban Conclave, calls for empowered city governments to Unlock India’s Growth Potential

At the 2nd National Urban Conclave, Shri Rajiv Gauba, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasized the need for comprehensive urban governance, planning, and financing reforms to support India's urban transition, where the urban population is projected to reach 85 crore by 2050. Highlighting the limitations of governing cities from state capitals, he called for empowered city governments with directly elected mayors for five-year terms, the adoption of the Mayor-in-Council system, and the devolution of all 18 functions to urban local bodies under the 74th Constitutional Amendment. He also underscored the importance of enhancing municipal revenues through property taxes, improving fiscal transfers from state governments, reforming restrictive Floor Area Ratios (FARs) and building norms, adopting mixed-use zoning, and implementing the Model Tenancy Act to boost affordable rental housing.