This article analyses the present urban development policies with a focus on the extent of equity in the delivery of basic services especially in the context of effectiveness of the programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM). The programme was designed as a reform-linked investment mission to ensure financially sustainable development of the cities through efficient governance, better infrastructure and improved service delivery. Further, the article analyses the infrastructural investment and geographical coverage of this programme and summarises the lessons learnt and attempts to delineate a policy perspective for inclusive urban development across the country.
The big city bias of the mission is very evident from the analysis. Also, the developed states and big cities could take advantage of the mission and improve their infrastructural requirements of water supply, sewerage and transportation. The spending for the urban poor declined over the years and they became partners in this programme in a very cosmetic sense. The small towns and poorer states could take little advantage of this programme because of their limited capacity to understand and implement reforms and prepare city development plans and detailed project reports which were contingent for qualifying for funds.