Lucknow: Civic advocacy group Janaagraha convened its first consultation meeting on Wednesday to shape an actionable agenda for urban transformation in Uttar Pradesh. The meeting brought together government officials, academic experts, social sector professionals and policy specialists, marking the beginning of a series of stakeholder-driven dialogues to guide the state’s urban future.
The discussion focused on the urgent need to manage Uttar Pradesh’s rapid urbanisation. Estimates suggest that by 2036, the urban population of the state may reach nearly 6.7 crore, making planned development critical.
In the inaugural session, participants identified major challenges faced by UP’s cities and proposed practical solutions. Key issues discussed included empowering local governments, planning for expanding urban populations, integrating data for informed decision-making, and addressing environmental concerns such as air quality. Stakeholders also drafted a preliminary list of priority actions for sustainable city growth.
S.P. Patel, Special Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, said the 2025 Disaster Act places greater emphasis on urban local bodies. “Dedicated urban disaster management departments will be established in all major cities and state capitals,” he said.
Dhanashree Gurav, Associate Executive Director, Shelter Associates, emphasised the need for unified data systems: “Data exists in silos. Cities need comprehensive, integrated datasets for effective planning and administration.”
Pushpa Pathak, Senior Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, called for a new governance list specifically for local bodies: “Beyond the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, we need a fourth list outlining local government responsibilities. The 74th Constitutional Amendment is no longer sufficient.”
Preetika Malhotra, Senior Research Associate at ResGov, highlighted the need for a clear policy to support the transition of rural areas into towns: “Small towns must be prepared for expanding roles and responsibilities.”
Janaagraha’s Director – State Programmes, Sajith Sukumaran, stressed collaboration: “For UP’s cities to advance, government, academia and civil society must work together. Shared understanding will help shape a clear vision of what the future city should look like.”
The consultation is part of Janaagraha’s broader strategy for UP’s urban improvement under the SUTRA framework, designed as a collaborative platform that encourages reform, dialogue and collective participation. SUTRA aims to bring government departments, civil society organisations, academic institutions and regional experts together to build inclusive and accessible urban development pathways.
The insights generated in this initial meeting will guide the agenda of future SUTRA sessions, each of which will focus on a specific theme. Together, these consultations will form the foundation of a comprehensive roadmap for urban transformation in Uttar Pradesh.
