As smaller Indian cities grapple with record-breaking heat, rising temperatures in scorching summers pose severe risks. In Nāgrika’s Climate Change Series, Part 2 tracks how these cities are heating up, often unnoticed, while exposing cracks in policy, data, and infrastructure that leave millions vulnerable to a warming world that’s no longer just a future threat.

Ring road projects are becoming a key strategy for enhancing connectivity and boosting economic development: Chennai's Outer Ring Road has influenced the development of nearby satellite townships. While they promise improved infrastructure, these projects often stir concerns around land acquisition and environmental impact. With farmers protesting and debates over its effectiveness, what direction will ring road projects take in shaping the future of Indian cities?

रिंग रोड प्रोजेक्ट्स कनेक्टिविटी बढ़ाने और आर्थिक विकास को प्रोत्साहित करने की अहम रणनीति बनते जा रहे हैं। जैसे चेन्नई का आउटर रिंग रोड पास के सैटेलाइट टाउनशिप्स के विकास को प्रभावित कर रहा है। ये प्रोजेक्ट बेहतर इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर का वादा करते हैं, लेकिन जमीन अधिग्रहण और पर्यावरणीय प्रभाव को लेकर चिंता भी बढ़ा देते हैं। किसान विरोध कर रहे हैं और उनकी प्रभावशीलता पर बहस जारी है। ऐसे में, रिंग रोड प्रोजेक्ट्स भारत के शहरों के भविष्य को किस दिशा में ले जाएंगे?

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?

With cities increasingly drowning in their own runoff, urban flooding has become a common sight from Chennai to Belagavi. As traditional drainage systems fall short, the innovative concept of "Sponge City" offers a fresh perspective, making urban spaces more absorbent to manage excess water. While the vision sounds promising, can concrete-dense cities really transform into water-soaking sponges?

Libraries are more than just collections of books; they’re vital community spaces. In India, however, urban libraries remain scarce, with one library serving 80,000 people on average. As cities grow, public libraries must evolve to foster lifelong learning and community engagement, by reimagining dynamic spaces for social interaction, creativity, and knowledge-sharing. Will investing in libraries help our cities become truly smart?