As seas slowly inch higher, India’s smaller coastal cities face a growing threat of submergence yet remain off the radar of mainstream climate conversations. In Nāgrika’s Climate Change Series, Part 3 reveals the overlooked risks, data gaps, and policy blind spots that could leave hundreds of communities at risk of an advancing shoreline.

भारत में कभी आम जनता के मनोरंजन के केंद्र रहे सिंगल-स्क्रीन थिएटर तेजी से खत्म हो रहे हैं। आज देश में 6,000 से भी कम थिएटर बचे हैं, जिनमें से केवल 1,000 ही संचालित हो रहे हैं। मल्टीप्लेक्स का उदय, महामारी की बाधाएं और बढ़ते कर दरों ने कई प्रतिष्ठित थिएटरों को बंद करने पर मजबूर कर दिया है। लेकिन क्या इस कहानी में कोई मोड़ आ सकता है? कुछ थिएटर अपनी इनोवेटिव रणनीतियों और सरकारी समर्थन के चलते बचाव कर रहे हैं, और हाल की ब्लॉकबस्टर फिल्मों की सफलता इस उद्योग के पुनरुद्धार का संकेत

Single-screen theatres in India, once an entertainment hub for the masses, are rapidly disappearing, with fewer than 6,000 still standing and only 1,000 operating. The rise of multiplexes, pandemic disruptions, and unsustainable tax rates have forced iconic theatres to close their doors. But could there be a twist in this tale? Some theatres are defying the odds through innovative strategies and government support, while recent blockbuster successes hint at a possible revival

Cities are both culprits and casualties in the climate crisis. But what about the ones we rarely hear about? In Nāgrika’s Climate Change Series, Part 1 zooms in on India’s small and midsized cities, revealing overlooked risks, urgent gaps in data, and why ignoring them could mean missing the bigger climate picture entirely.

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.

Riverfront development is taking hold in Indian cities, with projects like Kota's Chambal Riverfront aiming to transform riverbanks into community spaces. However, concerns about biodiversity loss and increased risk of flooding have sparked resistance in places like Jammu and Mangaluru. As cities explore these developments, the challenge remains: how to balance urban growth with environmental preservation, ensuring these projects benefit both communities and ecosystems.

भारत के शहरों में नदी के किनारे विकास तेजी से हो रहा है, जैसे कोटा में चंबल नदी के किनारे का प्रोजेक्ट, जो नदी के आसपास के इलाकों को सामुदायिक स्थानों में बदलने की कोशिश कर रहा है। लेकिन जैव विविधता के नुकसान और बाढ़ के खतरे बढ़ने की वजह से जम्मू और मंगलूरु जैसे स्थानों पर इस पर विरोध भी देखने को मिल रहा है। शहरों के लिए यह बड़ा सवाल है कि वे शहरी विकास और पर्यावरण संरक्षण के बीच संतुलन कैसे बनाएँ, ताकि ये परियोजनाएँ समुदाय और प्रकृति दोनों के लिए फायदे लेकर आएं।

Auto-rickshaws are a lifeline for urban commuters in India, but lack of dedicated stands often turns convenience into chaos. As cities like Rajouri, Mangaluru, and Gurugram push for structured boarding zones, the debate continues: can designated auto-rickshaw stands really improve traffic flow and commuter experience? Or is there more to the puzzle of urban transport management in smaller cities?

2018 was a year where cities in India took center stage: politically, economically, and socially. From rising citizen participation to international partnerships, urban life saw transformative change. With rankings, policies, and citizen-led initiatives making waves, cities found their voices louder than ever. As cities continue to evolve, how ready are they to meet the challenges of tomorrow in and inclusive and sustainable manner?