Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the Indian government will establish a Rs 1 trillion Urban Challenge Fund to enhance urban infrastructure. The fund aims to support cities as centres of economic growth by financing up to 25 per cent of bankable projects, with a focus on creative city redevelopment, water, and sanitation initiatives.

The Urban Challenge Fund will finance up to 25 per cent of eligible projects, with the remaining 75 per cent to be raised through bonds, bank loans, or public-private partnerships (PPPs). The government has allocated Rs 100 billion for the fiscal year 2025-26 to kickstart this initiative. This move, part of the government’s broader vision outlined in the July budget, is designed to transform cities into growth hubs and address essential urban development needs.