India's urban governance reforms to have uneven impact

Subject

Urban governance.

Significance

India's future lies with its cities, which are growing rapidly in population and, even more, economic importance. However, urban governance is a much neglected area of the state system with often dire consequences for the provision of infrastructure and facilities.

Impacts

• Urban development holds the greatest potential for (domestic and foreign) infrastructure firms.
• Politics will impede introduction of market-linked energy tariffs in some urban areas.
• Middle-class consumers are increasingly willing to pay for quality services.