This article is based on a recent study* by him analysing the progress of ten major Indian cities in fulfilling SDG-11 while also assessing the living conditions of slum inhabitants in six of them.Urbanisation is a double-edged sword. While it promotes economic growth and accounts for more than 80% of global GDP, it also exacerbates inequities, particularly in developing countries like India. As India continues to urbanise, the difficulties of slum proliferation, insufficient housing, and restricted access to essential services persist, jeopardising the country's progress toward attaining Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG-11), which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. With the Union Budget 2025 on the horizon, there is an urgent need for the Government of India to prioritise inclusive urban development, ensuring that the advantages of urbanisation reach all citizens, especially the urban poor.
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