Aparna Roy, Sasha Ranjan, and Radhey Wadhwa, Climate-Resilient Cities and Budget 2026–27: Milestones, Misses, and the Road to Viksit Bharat 2047, Observer Research Foundation, February 2026. Together, these intersecting pressures underscore a fundamental reality: urban climate resilience is not an environmental add-on, but a development imperative. Air Pollution: Incremental Allocations Amid a Growing Urban Health EmergencyThe Union Budget 2026–27 reflects a persistent disconnect between the scale of urban air pollution risks and fiscal prioritisation. However, without complementary investments in last-mile connectivity and climate-sensitive street design, their full urban resilience potential remains under-realised. Failing to integrate equity into urban climate strategies risks deepening social fractures and undermining the legitimacy of the development transition.

Source: Indian Express February 27, 2026 03:58 UTC