The Importance of Functioning Indian Cities for Population Growth and India's Status

Indian cities need to improve in order for India to achieve rich world status. Bhubaneswar, a successful city, highlights the broader problem of neglecting cities. The Indian constitution initially overlooked cities, but in the 1990s they were given some power. However, devolving this power has been a challenge. The previous government initiated city regeneration programs, and the current government has launched numerous schemes. While these efforts are positive, they remain top-down. Bhubaneswar thrives because of the state government's care and the commitment from the chief minister and state bureaucracy.