Former NITI Aayog CEO and G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, on Wednesday underscored the urgent need to build sustainable cities, as urbanization poses a significant challenge for policymakers.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, Kant referred to these projects as “centres of growth and innovation.”

During a panel discussion titled “Destiny or Destination: Culture, Connectivity and Tourism,” Kant highlighted that urbanization in India over the next five decades will be one of the country’s most pressing challenges, with an estimated 500 million people expected to enter urban areas.

“India will have to create a new Chicago every five years,” Kant said, emphasizing the need for cities to serve as engines of economic growth and innovation.

Kant also stressed the importance of revitalizing existing cities. He noted that the GDP of Mumbai now surpasses that of 18 Indian states, and drew attention to the stark GDP disparity between Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida) and Kanpur.

“The GDP of Gautam Buddh Nagar is 12 times more than that of Kanpur. This is the scale of growth, job creation, and innovation that new cities will bring,” he added.

(With ANI inputs)