Governor Gupta urges government-industry collaboration for India’s future cities

Governor Kavinder Gupta said meaningful progress on India’s urban development can only be achieved through collaboration among governments, urban local bodies, industry, educational institutions and civil society, addressing the inaugural session of Future Cities Forum 2026 in Pune. The forum, themed “India’s Cities: Leading the Growth of Viksit Bharat,” was organised by Pune Times Mirror with the Lexicon Group.

Gupta said the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 can be realised only when Indian cities emerge as centres of innovation, good governance, sustainability, technological excellence and human values. He said cities must become engines of economic growth, centres of innovation and models of sustainable development to support India’s broader development goals.

He expressed confidence that the forum’s deliberations would generate practical ideas capable of influencing public policy and contributing to people-centric urban development, describing the event as a significant national platform rather than merely a conference.

Gupta called for future cities to be smart, inclusive, environmentally responsible and citizen-centric, while balancing technological advancement with preservation of India’s cultural heritage.

He wished Future Cities Forum 2026 success and said he hoped it would become a catalyst for new ideas, innovation and sustainable urban development in the years ahead.