हाई-रिज़ॉल्यूशन कैमरे अब सिर्फ बड़े शहरों की खासियत नहीं रहे — ये अब मेलविशारम में ट्रैफिक पर नज़र रख रहे हैं और कोयंबटूर के पास जंगली जानवरों की मॉनिटरिंग कर रहे हैं। ये सिस्टम बेहतर सुरक्षा और तेजी से जांच का वादा करते हैं, लेकिन इसके साथ ही कुछ सवाल भी खड़े करते हैं: क्या ये वाकई अपराध को कम कर रहे हैं? बढ़ती लागत और निजता की चिंताओं के बीच, भारत के शहरी इलाकों में निगरानी का बढ़ता दायरा सिर्फ बेहतर कैमरों से नहीं, बल्कि बेहतर जवाबदेही से जुड़ा हुआ है।

QR कोड वाली शिकायत प्रणाली से लेकर मोबाइल टॉयलेट तक, भारतीय शहर सार्वजनिक शौचालयों को फिर से सोच रहे हैं। लेकिन ऐसी तकनीकी सुविधाओं और नागरिक अभियानों के बावजूद साफ-सफाई में अभी भी उतार-चढ़ाव रहता है। कुछ शहरों में सुधार नजर आते हैं, जबकि कई जगहों पर रखरखाव कमजोर है। जब स्वच्छता की नई तकनीकें ज़मीनी हकीकत से मिलती हैं, तो सार्वजनिक शौचालयों का भविष्य इस बात पर निर्भर करेगा कि शहर इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर, जवाबदेही और सम्मानजनक डिज़ाइन के बीच सही संतुलन कैसे बनाते हैं।

Street vending in Indian cities walks a tightrope between livelihood and legality. While cities like Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram experiment with thoughtful vending zones, others wrestle with relocation woes and poor infrastructure. Activists push for inclusive planning, but implementation lags behind. As civic bodies navigate contested footpaths, vending zones remain a work in progress. Are street vendors getting the right space?

From QR-coded complaint mechanisms to mobile loos on wheels, Indian cities are rethinking public toilets. However, despite such tech fixes and civic campaigns, hygiene remains hit-or-miss. While some cities boast improvements, others struggle with poor upkeep. As sanitation innovations meet on-ground realities, the future of public toilets may well depend on how cities balance infrastructure, accountability, and dignity in design.

India’s smaller cities found themselves on the global map, with G20 flags flying not just in metros! From Hampi’s long-awaited infrastructure upgrades to grassroots participation in Aizawl and Jowai, the summit left tangible traces. But behind the glitter of global diplomacy, some cities faced disruption and displacement. What does this sudden spotlight mean for cities not used to it? And what lingers after the delegates leave?

Community Health Centres (CHCs) are playing a pivotal role in improving healthcare across smaller towns and cities. Amidst challenges like staff shortages and limited resources, these centres are offering essential services such as child immunisation and life-saving treatments. With growing citizen involvement, CHCs are emerging as resilient pillars. Though questions remain about their long-term sustainability in meeting the evolving needs of urban communities.

What if not just tech, but mothers could too help clean the air? With most Indian cities still lacking basic air quality monitoring, innovations like mobile sensors and citizen-led campaigns are stepping in. A hyperlocal push is reshaping how cities track pollution. But can these efforts bridge the gap left by missing infrastructure, and make the right to clean air a reality?

Cities are getting smarter about water, and Trichy is leading the charge. From tapping abandoned quarries to using AI to detect pipeline leaks, it's turning innovation into action. Across India, satellite scans, helium tests, and acoustic sensors are entering the scene in smaller cities, but citizen protests in Kolhapur remind us that tech alone won’t cut it. What does it really take to secure every drop?

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?

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?

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?