Union Minister Manohar Lal Inaugurates National Urban Conclave 2025 In New Delhi
Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, today inaugurated the National Urban Conclave 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The two-day event brings together policymakers, urban planners, and experts to discuss the theme “Sustainable Urban Development and Governance” through focused sessions on key urban issues.
The Union Minister launched several major initiatives during the event, including the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP), the Urban Invest Window (UiWIN), and the Swachh Bharat Mission – Knowledge Management Unit (KMU). He also unveiled the AMRUT anthem ‘Jal Hi Janani’, highlighting the importance of water conservation.
The Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) is a year-long, mission-mode initiative aimed at accelerating the remediation of dumpsites across urban India. It will prioritize 214 high-impact sites containing nearly 80% of legacy waste, covering around 8.8 crore metric tonnes of waste. The programme seeks to reclaim valuable land for community use and advance India’s goal of achieving “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” by September 2026.
To support the effort, the central government has extended financial assistance of ₹4,181 crore for projects worth ₹10,228 crore, benefiting 2,484 urban local bodies (ULBs) across 28 states and union territories. So far, over 1,048 dumpsites—holding nearly 25 crore metric tonnes of waste—have been remediated, reclaiming approximately 7,580 acres of land.
The Urban Invest Window (UiWIN), developed by HUDCO under the guidance of MoHUA, will serve as a one-stop investment facilitation platform for Indian cities. It aims to attract private investment and provide access to long-term, concessional financing from institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, supporting PPP-based urban infrastructure projects.
The Swachh Bharat Mission – Knowledge Management Unit (KMU), set up at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, will function as a national platform for capacity building, knowledge sharing, and institutional learning under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban framework.
Speaking at the event, Manohar Lal said India’s urban transformation must be guided by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation. He emphasized that initiatives like DRAP, UiWIN, and KMU will be crucial in building cleaner, greener, and more liveable cities in line with the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
“By 2047, nearly half of India’s population will live in cities. Realizing the vision of a developed India will require coordinated efforts and massive investments from both public and private sectors,” he said.
MoHUA Secretary Srinivas Katikithala highlighted the need for collaborative governance and institutional synergy to drive sustainable urban growth. He described the Conclave as a platform for city leaders and experts to exchange ideas and co-create solutions for India’s urban future.
The first day of the conclave featured four technical sessions on regional planning, transit-oriented development and mobility, livelihood generation, poverty alleviation, construction and demolition waste, and capacity building.
The conclave continues tomorrow with further discussions on innovative policies, smart infrastructure, and inclusive governance for India’s rapidly growing cities.
