The population of Indian urban areas is constantly increasing, with about 1% of the population living in urbanized zones annually. It is projected that 580 million people will live in cities by 2030; previously, in 2008, the McKinsey report first recorded this trend when the population was 340 million. Currently, only six megacities function to manage this migration in the country.
Akash Ohri, Managing Director of DLF Home Developers, noted that the current infrastructure is insufficient. Speaking at the 'India at 100' event by Business Today, Ohri emphasized that the cities built in the next decade will determine the state of the country by the centenary of independence. He discussed several issues, including the creation of satellite cities, private metros, greening, and linking corporate executives' bonuses to sustainable development goals.
Ohri stated that urbanization in India is inevitable, but the key question is how the country will cope with these changes. Given the current migration rates, there is a paradox: on one hand, there is talk of transforming India into a trillion-dollar economy, while on the other, there are only a limited number of large megacities serving as employment and discussion centers.
He predicts that population pressure on existing cities will increase in the coming years. Therefore, instead of relying solely on large centers, it is necessary to develop strong satellite and feeder cities around them. These settlements must be connected to the main cities through improved transport accessibility, reliable physical infrastructure, and an efficient transportation system, allowing people to move easily between them.
In Ohri's view, the current infrastructure cannot meet the needs of the growing population over the next two decades. Consequently, instead of opposing this trend, it should be accounted for, and long-term plans should be developed. He cited examples from developed countries, noting that strong infrastructure often acts not as a result, but as a catalyst for economic growth.
Ohri also highlighted the role of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in urban environment development. He provided international examples such as Hudson Yards in New York, Canary Wharf in London, and the private management model in Singapore. These examples demonstrate that large-scale transformations are possible when the government and the private sector work together, focusing on long-term results.
He mentioned that DLF has implemented a similar model in Gurugram. Ohri cited the Raghavendra Marg project and DLF's private metro network in Gurugram, showing that private developers can play an important role in creating urban infrastructure when citizens' aspirations outpace the speed of state structures.
According to Ohri, India's main problem lies in having the political will and developing a long-term plan for urban infrastructure. He stressed that city development cannot be based on a few years or one or two election cycles; it requires planning with a 30–50 year horizon. Considering the pace of urbanization in India, it is critically important now to determine where the next generation will live, how they will travel, what infrastructure they will receive, and in which direction the city will expand.
Thus, the task for future India is not just to build new cities, but to create integrated, easily navigable, and reliably infrastructured urban clusters capable of withstanding the pressure of growing population and economic activity. Ohri added that the biggest challenge in urban development is not only developing good policies but also ensuring their consistent and effective implementation. He noted that qualified officials and good policies exist in Indian cities, but there is a gap between intention and actual execution, for example, in waste management. He gave the example of DLF's green infrastructure, which includes parks, greenery, tree planting, and is part of the company's sustainability concept. He concluded that cities like Mumbai require vertical development due to geographical constraints, while other cities should prioritize open spaces, parks, clean air, better urban infrastructure, and water reuse. Furthermore, the corporate sector must be made responsible for sustainable development, as sustainable cities are shaped not only by intentions but also by strong governance, continuous action, and accountability.