In its report “India’s Urban Awakening – Building cities, sustaining economic growth”, McKinsey states that a good city should be able to offer fine public infrastructure, reliable social services, recreational and community infrastructure and sustainable environment.

As Delhiites complain of increasing road traffic, pollution and population many experts suggest that the development of the capital for the Commonwealth Games will lead to an increase in urban migration. Do you think Delhi is ready for this?

With a ’stark warning’, McKinsey suggests that if India continues with its current unplanned urbanisation, it will result in a significant deterioration in the quality of life in cities and will put even today’s economic growth rate at risk.

Statistics show the current performance of Indian cities in water supply quantity, sewage treatment, healthcare and public transport is quite poor.

Do you think India will be able to handle the surge in demand that the growing urbanisation will create?

Many believe that good governance and proper planning can steer the process of urbanisation and generate more income and create space for a better life.

McKinsey & Co director Shirish Sankhe says that India needs a “cascaded planning structure” with long and medium-term plans at the metropolitan level, eventually extending to areas like transportation, education, healthcare and environment over the years.

Do you see India successfully handling the issues of growing urbanisation, the economic situation it threatens to create and the international pressure on environment and climate change?