Union Minister Shri Hardeep S Puri, at the National Workshop on Capacity Building of Urban Local Bodies, emphasized the need for a futuristic approach to urban development, focusing on creating holistic ecosystems for last-mile service access, operational efficiency, and digital integration. The workshop aims to foster a unified approach to capacity-building for Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) nationwide.
Shri Puri highlighted India’s transformation from a ‘reluctant urbaniser’ and the significant investments, over Rs. 18 lakh crores since 2014, in urban development. He stressed the government’s commitment to provide ULBs with more financial resources and access, notably through the 15th Finance Commission, which increased funds six-fold to Rs. 1,55,628 crores from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Through initiatives like AMRUT, municipal bonds, and urban planning reforms, the government aims to increase ULB creditworthiness, promoting urban development. Shri Puri praised the role of ULBs in contributing to national priorities and emphasized the need for common training modules for counter-terrorism agencies.
The workshop, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Capacity Building Commission, marked the launch of key initiatives and aimed to enhance capacity-building at the ULB level under Mission Karmayogi. It brought together officials, industry partners, and training institutes to share best practices, identify challenges, and create a framework for ULBs’ continuous improvement, aligning with the government’s vision for citizen-centric governance.