Heavy rainfall across India’s northern states has left smaller cities grappling with waterlogging issues. Limited resources and poor drainage systems are often to blame, as rapid urbanisation and unplanned construction worsen the situation. While some cities, like Chandigarh, are stepping up with plans to tackle these challenges, are smaller cities prepared for the long-term effects of such extreme weather events?

Recent incidents in Koppal, Raichur, and Belagavi have raised alarms about water contamination, with hundreds hospitalised due to polluted water. Groundwater contamination by uranium and other harmful substances is a growing issue in several states, including Punjab, where the impact on public health is alarming. As water quality continues to deteriorate, how aware are we of the risks lurking in our drinking water?

Mutual fund investments are slowly gaining traction in India’s smaller cities, with B30 cities now contributing 17% to the sector’s total assets. SEBI’s efforts to enhance investor awareness and access through local collaborations and tech-driven platforms have made mutual funds more accessible. With the rise of new products and educational programs, are smaller cities becoming the next big investment hub?

When Cyclone Biparjoy struck Gujarat in June 2023, the state’s preparedness plan proved vital in minimising damage and saving lives. Despite its strength, the early warning system, evacuations, and coordinated rescue efforts from local agencies made a significant difference. As cyclones become more frequent, is your city prepared to handle such a disaster? What lessons can be learned from Gujarat’s example to improve disaster resilience?

With app-based ride-hailing services facing challenges from both driver unions and local competitors, a new wave of mobility solutions are emerging in smaller cities like Guwahati. From homegrown apps to state-backed initiatives, the landscape is shifting rapidly. How will this disrupt the duopoly of giants like Ola and Uber? Can local players truly compete in the long run, or will they be swallowed by bigger forces?

Kochi is grappling with toxic fumes from a fire at the Brahmapuram waste plant, worsening the city’s air quality. While this incident highlights the risks of poorly managed landfills, it’s far from an isolated case. Cities across India are dealing with similar fires. As waste management struggles, could innovative solutions like zero-landfill models and advanced technologies provide a way forward?

Udupi’s plan to replace over 20,000 conventional streetlights with LEDs is set to cut power consumption by 80%, saving the city significant costs. But as more cities follow suit, a crucial question arises. Could the shift to LED lights be creating new problems, like increased light pollution and disrupted sleep cycles? As cities embrace energy efficiency, is there a balance to be struck between sustainability and the well-being of residents?

As the monsoon season approaches, cities across India are stepping up their preparedness - from drain clean-ups to emergency drills. While efforts focus on avoiding waterlogging and ensuring safety, experts suggest a shift towards more sustainable, climate-resilient planning. Can cities move beyond infrastructure fixes to embrace holistic solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges?

As Indian cities struggle with plastic waste, a new path is being laid quite literally. Roads infused with discarded plastic are gaining traction, promising durability and cost savings. But while innovation meets infrastructure, questions around health and environmental risks linger. Could this waste-to-road shift be the sustainable fix urban India needs, or just a detour?

E-commerce in India’s Tier-II and III cities is booming, driven by internet access, smartphones, and government initiatives. These cities now lead in order volumes and contribute significantly to platforms like GeM and ONDC. While the sector empowers MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, challenges like logistics infrastructure and consumer trust remain. How are cities balancing digital growth with the needs of traditional businesses and ensure a future that benefits all?

Outdated rates, missing records, and massive shortfalls: property tax collection in Indian cities is far from efficient. But with GIS mapping, online systems, and tech-based nudges, some cities are seeing surprising gains. As systems modernise, the real test lies in building trust and bridging gaps in access and awareness.

Despite the ban on manual scavenging, there continues to be thousands of fatalities since 1993. With workers still engaged in sewer cleaning, the gap between policy and practice remains stark. While machines and technologies like Kerala’s Bandicoot robot offer hope, questions about implementation and accessibility persist. Can this technological shift finally bring dignity and safety to sanitation work, or is a deeper systemic change needed to eradicate this practice?

With over 60 million strays and rising cases of dog bites, cities are scrambling for solutions. Cities are turning to sterilisation drives, citizen-led care, and new bylaws to manage the streets. While some communities embrace co-existence, others raise alarms about safety. Between budgets, policies, and public trust, urban animal welfare is navigating a complex terrain. So how are cities balancing compassion with control?

Hotel chains are steadily expanding beyond metros, drawn by affordable land, rising business travel, and untapped tourist potential in smaller cities. With infrastructure improving and exciting events driving footfall, Tier-II and Tier-III towns are emerging as hospitality hotspots. As big names set their sights on these markets, a new kind of transformation is underway; one that’s redefining where luxury belongs. The hospitality industry has started to realise the rising po

Ten years after the toxic gas leak in Thoothukudi, industrial safety in India remains a pressing issue. Despite regulations like the Occupational Safety Code, incidents keep occurring, often hitting workers the hardest, revealing gaps in implementation, enforcement, and risk management. As industries expand into smaller cities with evolving regulations, how prepared are they to handle potential hazards?

Hubli-Dharwad’s crackdown on illegal hoardings is part of a growing trend in Indian cities like Manesar, Guntur, and Kolkata that are addressing the problem of visual pollution. As cities explore new policies and eco-friendly alternatives, some still struggle with enforcement and environmental concerns. Are cleaner, more sustainable public spaces finally within reach or will illegal hoardings continue to dominate public spaces?

AI is taking over Indian streets, but through smart surveillance systems to reshape how traffic is monitored. From Kerala’s new automated enforcement rollout to Chandigarh’s surge in contactless challans, cities are leaning on technology to bring order to the chaos. But can intelligent systems truly manage human unpredictability? And what happens when the roads aren’t ready for the tech?

India’s forests are burning at an alarming rate. With tens of thousands of fire incidents reported in Odisha and Goa alone, the impact is spreading through ecosystems, displacing and endangering wildlife, and threatening local economies. While state and city-level policies attempt to tackle the blaze, limited resources and strained trust complicate the response. Will current measures be enough to withstand the mounting ecological cost of these recurring fires?