District-level Urban Governance Policies in India: Cities of Neglect?

Abstract

This article deals with urban governance policy and planning with respect to two Indian states, Karnataka and Telangana, at the district level. While there is a clearly envisioned policy for urban governance in India, this article highlights that its implementation continues to remain incomplete. The article examines whether the constitutional provisions envisaged for the said purposes are being practised or not. In the process, demonstrates that while the provision of drinking water and sanitation remains a problem across the cities discussed, social capital in terms of making governance work and cope with communal issues too is a major issue.