Centre pushes urban reforms, empowered cities at National Conclave

Bhubaneswar, Oct 25 (UNI) The Centre on Sunday called for far-reaching urban reforms, greater autonomy for urban local bodies and stronger municipal finances at the National Urban Conclave 2026, with a focus on empowering cities to drive India's development towards Viksit Bharat 2047. The two-day conclave, which concluded in Bhubaneswar, brought together representatives of the union and state governments, urban local bodies, industry, academia and knowledge institutions to deliberate on key urban challenges and evolve actionable recommendations for improving governance, planning, infrastructure and civic services. Addressing the valedictory session, union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal highlighted the…