Urban Update

Urban Update A magazine on issues related to cities: Infrastructure, Governance, Culture, Sustainability. It reports on day-to-day urban affairs.

Urban Update is an English monthly offering a signature blend of reporting and commentary on urban development, municipal affairs, innovation, sustainability, environment, energy efficiency, mobility, science and technology, and business, along with case studies and success stories from Indian and global cities and towns. The magazine is an initiative of the All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG). The magazine plays a special and diversified role in urban development – as a primary, indispensable link among stakeholders directly or indirectly connected to the cause, a wellspring of writing and imagery that nurtures community and reinforces magazine’s vision of evangelizing urban infrastructure, governance, culture, safety and security, and, above all, sustainability. In pursuit of its mission, the magazine offers these features:

1. Accurate fair and consistent reporting on issues of concern that will help readers take informed decisions.
2. Highlighting accomplishments challenges and experiences of cities to inspire others to stay involved in their communities.
3. Promoting global understanding of city management and thus furthering community wisdom.
4. Exercising the highest journalistic and ethical standards to produce a publication that is not only informative and interesting but also a trustworthy medium to share thoughts and engage with peers in the domain.

Air Pollution Linked to Higher TB Mortality Risk: StudyA study of nearly 62,000 tuberculosis patients in Delhi found tha...
08/09/2026

Air Pollution Linked to Higher TB Mortality Risk: Study

A study of nearly 62,000 tuberculosis patients in Delhi found that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 pollution before treatment significantly increased the risk of death. Researchers reported that patients exposed to the highest pollution levels faced up to a 66% higher mortality risk during treatment, highlighting the health impacts of poor air quality.

Zero-Emission Transport Could Prevent 1.7 Million Deaths by 2050: ICCTA complete shift to zero-emission transport could ...
07/09/2026

Zero-Emission Transport Could Prevent 1.7 Million Deaths by 2050: ICCT

A complete shift to zero-emission transport could prevent an estimated 1.7 million premature deaths in India by 2050, according to an ICCT study. The report found that vehicle pollution caused one premature death every six minutes in 2024 and highlighted electric buses, trucks, and cleaner vehicles as key measures to improve public health.

Two-thirds of Pune roads lack footpaths: PMC reportPune's Environment Status Report 2025–26 reveals that only 747 km of ...
06/09/2026

Two-thirds of Pune roads lack footpaths: PMC report

Pune's Environment Status Report 2025–26 reveals that only 747 km of the city's 2,460 km road network has footpaths, leaving nearly two-thirds of roads without pedestrian infrastructure. The report also found that most cycle tracks fail safety standards, highlighting major gaps in walkability and accessibility despite the city's goal of increasing non-motorised transport by 2030.

05/09/2026

Jamshedpur has no mayor, no elected councillors, and no municipal corporation. So, who runs the city?

Built on Jamsetji Tata’s vision, Jamshedpur is one of India’s most fascinating planned industrial cities, known for its wide roads, greenery, cleanliness, drinking water, and efficient civic infrastructure.

Popularly called “Tata City,” many of its civic services are managed by Tata Steel rather than an elected municipal corporation.

Our latest Cityscape explores Jamshedpur’s unique governance model and the story behind this remarkable city.

Would you trade your local vote for a cleaner, better-managed city?

Watch the video and share your opinion in the comments. 👇

1.8 Lakh Pedestrians Killed in Road Accidents Since 2019: MoRTHMore than 1.8 lakh pedestrians lost their lives in road a...
05/09/2026

1.8 Lakh Pedestrians Killed in Road Accidents Since 2019: MoRTH

More than 1.8 lakh pedestrians lost their lives in road accidents across India between 2019 and 2024, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Pedestrians accounted for 20.6% of all road fatalities in 2024, with over half of the deaths involving collisions with two-wheelers and cars, highlighting the urgent need for safer walking infrastructure.

04/09/2026

🏙️ Cities This Week | Episode 43

From railway station amenities and a new Vande Bharat service to Goa’s decentralised waste management, Bhubaneswar’s bus priority lanes and India’s push for stronger drought preparedness — here are this week’s key city updates:

🚆 Railway Station Amenities — A CAG audit of 512 non-suburban railway stations found deficiencies in basic passenger amenities at 458 stations, including drinking water, toilets, seating, fans and electronic train indicators.

🚄 Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat — A third Vande Bharat Express between Jammu Tawi and Srinagar has been approved, with Udhampur’s Shaheed Captain Tushar Mahajan railway station included on the route.

♻️ Goa Waste Management — Bicholim in North Goa is adopting a decentralised solid waste management model using Nisargruna Rapid Composting Technology to process biodegradable waste closer to where it is generated.

🚌 Bhubaneswar Bus Priority Lane — CRUT is preparing to pilot bus priority lanes on two major corridors to reduce delays caused by traffic congestion and improve public transport efficiency. The lanes will also be accessible to essential services such as ambulances and fire tenders.

🌍 Drought Preparedness — At UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, India called for a shift from reacting to droughts to preparing for them through early warning systems, satellite-based assessment, ecosystem restoration and community-led resilience.

💬 Which of these developments could have the biggest impact on India’s cities — better rail connectivity, waste management, public transport or climate resilience?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

🏙️ Who decides how Indian cities grow?We often talk about traffic, flooding, new flyovers, Metro lines, and housing proj...
02/09/2026

🏙️ Who decides how Indian cities grow?

We often talk about traffic, flooding, new flyovers, Metro lines, and housing projects as separate issues.

But there's a bigger question behind all of them: Is anyone actually planning the city as a whole?

A Master Plan is supposed to guide how a city grows — where homes, jobs, roads, public transport, schools, hospitals, parks, and other infrastructure should go.

Yet many Indian urban settlements don't have an active Master Plan. And even when plans exist, they can take years to approve, be repeatedly changed, or struggle to influence what actually happens on the ground.

Delhi and Bengaluru are just two examples of a much larger challenge.
And perhaps the bigger question is whether traditional Master Planning itself needs to change.

Should cities be governed by a fixed 20-year blueprint? Or should planning be more flexible and adaptive as cities evolve?

🎥 Watch our video: https://youtu.be/BBnGc2dwehk

Does your city have an active Master Plan? Does it actually work?

Share your city and your experience in the comments. 👇

PMC to prepare 25-year water purification master plan.The Pune Municipal Corporation has been directed to prepare a 25-y...
02/09/2026

PMC to prepare 25-year water purification master plan.

The Pune Municipal Corporation has been directed to prepare a 25-year water purification master plan to ensure a reliable supply of clean drinking water as the city grows. The plan will modernise ageing treatment plants, expand purification capacity and improve water quality, strengthening Pune's long-term water security and resilience.

DJB approves ₹4,500 crore projects for Yamuna rejuvenationThe Delhi Jal Board has approved Yamuna rejuvenation projects ...
29/08/2026

DJB approves ₹4,500 crore projects for Yamuna rejuvenation

The Delhi Jal Board has approved Yamuna rejuvenation projects worth over ₹4,500 crore to improve the river's ecological health and strengthen the capital's water infrastructure. The projects include expanding sewage treatment, diverting treated wastewater to enhance environmental flow, upgrading sewer networks and deploying real-time monitoring systems to improve water quality and wastewater management.

28/08/2026

🏙️ Cities This Week | Episode 41

From railway expansion and climate action to Delhi’s electric buses, Gurugram’s waste crisis and better highway facilities — here are this week’s key city updates:

🚆 Railway Multitracking — ₹9,450 crore approved for 410 km of railway expansion across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

🌍 BRICS Climate Action — The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi focused on climate change, biodiversity, pollution and climate adaptation.

🚌 Delhi E-Buses — 200 new electric buses have been added to Delhi’s fleet, including 56 women-only services connecting key employment and education hubs.

♻️ Gurugram Waste Crisis — Around 7.1 lakh tonnes of unprocessed waste could remain at the Bandhwari landfill by March 2027, raising concerns for groundwater and the Aravalli ecosystem.

🚻 Highway Public Toilets — NHAI is upgrading toll-plaza toilets with real-time monitoring, improved hygiene, accessibility and better safety for travellers.

💬 Which of these developments could have the biggest impact on India’s cities — better connectivity, clean mobility, waste management or public infrastructure?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

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