In Srirangapatna, a group of passionate volunteers is creating ripples of change in the story of reviving urban lakes. From historical conservation practices to citizen-led movements in cities like Coimbatore and Miyapur, these efforts show how communities are coming together to transform neglected waters into vital resources. In this wave of urban lake revitalisation, how are communities leading the way?

India’s push for solar-powered cities is gaining ground, with Sanchi becoming the first to run fully on solar energy. Cities like Indore, Chandigarh, and Jammu are following suit, but progress is still slow. Out of a 40 GW target, only 9.6 GW has been installed so far. What’s stopping more cities and citizens from making the switch? Will cities be able to turn rooftops into into renewable powerhouses, or will solar goals remain out of reach?

India generates over 62 million tonnes of waste annually, but most of it ends up in landfills. Despite national targets, source segregation remains low, and cities struggle with treating waste effectively. Yet, places like Alappuzha, Panaji, and Ambikapur showing the way with local solutions and community efforts. With rising waste and shrinking space, it’s clear that city-led innovation is the way forward.

As extreme rainfall turns cities into flood zones, warning systems need urgent attention. India’s forecast models are evolving. But are they enough? From high-tech alerts to citizen-led vigilance, the shift towards impact-based and community-driven solutions may be key to flood resilience. Some cities are already testing the waters. Aerial view of the flood-affected area in Silchar, Assam | Source: Frontline the Hindu

India’s growing e-waste crisis is challenging cities to find sustainable solutions. While initiatives like ‘Mission E-waste’ and local recycling programs in cities such as Jamshedpur and Bhopal are taking steps forward, much more needs to be done. As innovative solutions emerge, the question remains: can India build a circular economy for e-waste, or will it continue to pile up?

The Indian government's push for green transportation through the PM-eBus Sewa plan is set to transform urban mobility. With 10,000 e-buses and NMT promotion, the initiative aims to reduce emissions and enhance sustainable transit options. While demand for greener alternatives is rising in smaller cities, challenges like limited charging infrastructure and lack of awareness remain. Can this push towards green mobility revolutionise urban transport across the country?

Once a humble grain of sand, now a broken bottle, it returns to Firozabad – the city that shaped it. Transformed into glass, it witnessed the packed factories and shimmering chandeliers. As it awaits a new fate, it sees how the city has evolved: cleaner streets, safer workers, and a resilient spirit. Yet, challenges remain. One day, it will break again. But in Firozabad, nothing is ever truly useless.

As a town undergoes transformation, stories linger over meals, bittersweet flavours of time and loss simmer, and memories stretch across generations. When growth meets nostalgic recollections of Dehradun, every corner holds whispers of a fading past. Amidst change and longing, a subtle tension brews – between roots and restless hearts, belonging and departure. What happens when home is both a place and a memory?

दो पीढ़ियों के मन के संवाद को इस कविता में बड़े प्रेम से उकेरा गया है। दादा की यादें गया की गलियों में गूंजती है, तो पोते की कल्पनाएँ उनमें नई चमक बिखेरती है। बुद्ध की शांति से लेकर भविष्य के सपनों तक रची यह रचना ऐतिहासिक जड़ों को भविष्य की शाखाओं से जोड़ती है। स्वच्छता, समावेशन और संवेदना इसके छंदों में ऐसे समाए हैं, मानो गया शहर खुद बोल उठा हो। संकल्पों से बुनी यह कविता एक ऐसे शहर को गढ़ती है जो ‘काश’ से ‘विश्वास’ बन जाए।

Caught between tradition and transformation, Lady Punekar contemplates her future. As her Big Sister Mumbai urges her toward progress, Pune grapples with the fear of losing her identity and heritage. Must growth only come at the cost of authenticity? In a world where ambition often overrides preservation, Pune seeks a path that is uniquely hers. Will she conform or will she carve her own destiny?

In the heart of Gaya, a young girl’s innocent curiosity unearths stories of a city caught between past glory and present struggles. Through her grandmother’s eyes, woes of flooded streets, fading traditions, and hidden textile hubs come alive — painting a vivid picture of hope, loss, and resilience. Together, their heartfelt conversation reveals a city yearning to breathe again while nurturing the dreams of tomorrow.

Guwahati’s transformation from a lush, community-driven town to a bustling metropolis reveals layers of memory, loss, and tenacious ties. Through conversations with senior residents, this narrative uncovers the city’s “porous” neighbourhoods where past and present coexist – in its houses, mobility, leisure, and social life. In the era of globalisation, the quest for a “memorable city” emerges: a place honouring history while embracing new futures.

When Shiva returns to Gorakhpur, the city of his childhood feels both familiar and foreign. Amid rapid urban changes and environmental neglect, he chooses action over despair, starting a solo cleanup mission that soon blossoms into a community movement. With the guidance of an elderly couple, the group breathes life back into their hometown, proving that revitalising a city’s soul is possible when passion, persistence, and purpose come together.

A retired man’s quiet mornings unfold into a vivid reflection on a city lost between memory and change. Through dreams, conversations, and everyday encounters, the fading spirit of Ongole emerges — trapped between nostalgia and modern ambitions. As a generational gap grows over questions of progress and tradition, a wistfulness lingers: can a city, like its people, find a way to belong without losing itself?

The power of citizen-led initiatives in smaller cities has recently gained significant attention. Citizens are driving change: be it Mohali's residents fighting for overdue maintenance works, or Chitlapakkam's community resolving last-mile connectivity through persistent efforts. However, challenges like bureaucratic hurdles, political influences, and resource limitations still persist. Will local communities overcome these barriers to influence lasting change in their cities

Indian cities are turning towards green bonds to fund sustainable initiatives. From Raipur’s sports complex to Indore’s solar power plant, these bonds are driving eco-friendly projects. But while these bonds promise eco-friendly investments, they’re not without challenges, especially for smaller municipalities. What hurdles do they face in adopting green bonds? Could this financial tool be the answer to their sustainability goals?

In July, Lucknow faced road cave-ins, frustrating residents. The culprits? Erratic road digging by Jal Nigam for sewer line work, done without coordination with the local municipal corporation. While such incidents are not rare, they often expose gaps in how cities manage road digging and repairs. Some cities have adopted tech-driven solutions to improve coordination. Will roadworks in smaller cities be effectively planned and monitored in the near future? 20 feet wide c

The Bhopal Municipal Corporation was recently fined Rs. 1 crore by the National Green Tribunal for illegal construction on Bhopal Lake, underlining the growing role of NGT in holding cities accountable for environmental violations. While NGT's reach has extended beyond major metros, smaller towns are also under scrutiny. With citizen involvement proving crucial, are environmental concerns in smaller cities now being addressed effectively?