Sustainability is no longer just a marketing claim for Indian cities. In 2025, it affects health, living costs, safety, and long-term stability.
People are now focusing on creating a safer and more beautiful world for future generations during this time of globalization, demanding sustainable development. Sustainable development is a concept that has been developed to fulfil the current needs without harming the future ability. This term was first introduced in 1987 in the “Brundtland Commission Report” by WCED. Sustainability and sustainable development are not the same. Sustainability is a long-term vision of commitment or goals, while the process or way to achieve those goals is known as sustainable development.
The idea of a "sustainable city" in India is no longer a theoretical concept. It's an urgent necessity driven by rapid urbanization, pollution, and climate vulnerability. Sustainability is measured across a triad: Environmental Quality, Economic Vibrancy, and Social Equity. Based on recent authoritative reports and indices, a few Indian cities are emerging as clear leaders.
How Are These Cities Measured? Understanding the Indices
The rankings come from several key government and independent assessments:
2. Swachh Survekshan by MoHUA: Focuses on sanitation, waste management, and citizen engagement.
4. Air Quality, Water Management, and Urban Planning data from CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), NITI Aayog's Composite Water Management Index, and Smart Cities Mission projects.
Only cities with documented progress, enforceable policies, and measurable outcomes were included.
Chandigarh: The Planned Pioneer
Chandigarh is a good example of how effective innovative urban design can be. Le Corbusier's legendary master plan included sustainability right from the start, making it one of India's highest green cover ratios per capita at over 35%. A robust network of separated cycle tracks that is still an essential part of the transportation fabric of the city adds another layer of support to this environmental foundation. In addition to its environmental credentials, Chandigarh consistently ranks high on the national Ease of Living Index due to its superior infrastructure and general quality of life. The city has implemented extensive solar power adoption for public facilities, including pioneering one of the region's largest solar-powered waterworks projects, demonstrating its commitment to cutting-edge renewable energy solutions.
Mysuru, Karnataka: The Consistent Performer
Mysuru's reputation as a model of urban sustainability stems from its consistently excellent results in India's official Swachh Survekshan (Cleanliness Survey), where it was named the nation's cleanest city in 2015, 2016, and 2020. The operation of an effective, decentralized waste management system and the preservation of more than 20% green cover are two concrete environmental metrics that support this award. Beyond the statistics, these environmental accomplishments are fueled and maintained by a robust social fabric that is marked by high literacy rates and a deeply embedded culture of civic engagement. The city's innovative programs, like the successful adoption of a "Zero Waste Management" model in multiple wards and the extensive composting of organic waste, have been examined and are regarded as national standards notably by
the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in its case studies on urban solid
waste management.
Surat, Gujarat: The Turnaround Story
Surat's remarkable journey from a city devastated by the plague to a national model of urban transformation is based on its remarkable balance of environmental stewardship and economic vitality. Its world-class environmental infrastructure includes one of India's most effective water supply networks, with over 99% coverage, and a cutting-edge automated solid waste management system. Because the main industrial hub enforces proactive policies for industrial wastewater treatment, this sustainability is directly woven into its economic fabric. The Surat Climate Change Trust, a ground-breaking public-private partnership (PPP) dedicated to enhancing systemic resilience through practical heat action plans and flood management techniques, is a trailblazing project solidifying this integrated approach. This all-encompassing approach to climate-smart development has gained recognition on a global scale. It has been highlighted in India's official ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and included in World Bank case studies on urban resilience.
Pune, Maharashtra: The Citizen-Led Innovator
Strong participatory governance and a commitment to sustainable mobility are the cornerstones of Pune's urban development, which has set it apart as a citizen-led innovator. With a growing fleet of electric buses and a vast network of more than 100 kilometers of dedicated bike tracks under the "Cycle Pure" initiative, the city's environmental strategy is clearly anchored in its dedication to non-motorized transportation. Active Advanced Locality Management (ALM) organizations and non-governmental organizations are spearheading ward-level sustainability initiatives from the ground up, propelling this advancement. The integrated "Pune Streets" and Public Bicycle Sharing project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reclaiming public space and methodically reducing reliance on vehicles, is a flagship project in this movement. The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has thoroughly documented and endorsed the city's revolutionary approach to equitable mobility, which is further supported by its consistently high rankings in the national Ease of Living Index.
Bengaluru, Karnataka: The Tech-Driven Eco-Innovator
The take away
| City | Renewable Energy Adoption | Transit & Mobility Strength | Housing & Sprawl Pressure | Primary Climate & Environmental Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chandigarh | Major solar for public utilities |
Planned cycle network, good transit |
Planned design controls sprawl |
Heatwaves Air Quality Decline |
| Mysuru | Growing solar, waste-to-energy |
Good bus service, NMT promotion |
Managed growth with tourism pressure |
Water Scarcity Urban Heat Island |
| Surat | Industrial co-generation, solar growing |
Efficient BRTS, improving connectivity |
Rapid industrial & migrant-led growth |
Flooding Coastal Erosion |
| Pune | Solar policy focus, cleantech hub |
Extensive cycle tracks, BRT, metro |
Rapid IT-led urbanization & sprawl |
Water Stress Flooding |
| Bengaluru | Green buildings, corporate RE |
Severe congestion, metro gaps |
Extreme sprawl, high density & cost |
Severe Water Crisis Urban Flooding |
| Delhi | Aggressive solar & EV targets |
Extensive metro, large bus fleet |
Extreme density, high informal housing |
Extreme Air Pollution Heatwaves |
Renewable Energy Adoption: = Strong policy & significant capacity | = Growing but not yet transformative | = Limited systematic adoption
Transit & Mobility Strength: Based on quality of public transport infrastructure, non-motorized transport networks, and system efficiency.
Housing & Sprawl Pressure: Scale reflects pace of urbanization, affordability challenges, and planning control.
Primary Climate Risk: Identifies most pressing environmental threat based on recent history and vulnerability assessments.