Centre launches Rs 1,000 crore Hill and Himalayan Cities Focused Fund

The Centre on Sunday launched a Rs 1,000 crore Hill and Himalayan Cities Focused Fund to accelerate solid waste management in ecologically sensitive regions under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0.
Announcing the fund at the National Urban Conclave, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu said the government was moving beyond poverty alleviation to a model of empowerment and entrepreneurship. He stressed the need for strong coordination among Centre, states, urban local bodies and the private sector to sustain this transformation.
During the valedictory session of the two-day event, Sahu also announced the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Uttar Pradesh government, Osmania University, IIPA and AIILSG. The MoU aims to develop resource material and address training and research needs in the urban sector across states and Union Territories.
The minister further launched the IIRS Sankalan App, designed to make urban surveys smarter and faster through GIS-based planning, with features such as on-site editing and geo-tagging to enhance accuracy and reduce delays. He also inaugurated the Centre for Public Policy on Habitat and Housing at the National Institute of Urban Affairs, Delhi. The centre will strengthen research and policy support for affordable urban housing, focusing on capacity building, data development and knowledge sharing.
Sahu said the government’s vision of Viksit Bharat is one where every urban citizen- including street vendors, waste managers, construction workers and gig workers- becomes a dignified partner in nation-building.
Housing and Urban Affairs secretary S Katikithala said the Prime Minister’s goal of developing 50 global cities will be advanced through a structured challenge framework. He announced that India will host the BRICS Urban Forum in April 2026 and the Urban Tech Expo in April 2026, highlighting India’s growing leadership in global urban development.
The concluding day of the conclave focused on three themes—urban governance, circular economy and the housing ecosystem. Sessions explored institutional reforms for future-ready governance, strategies to scale circularity by converting waste into resources, and policy frameworks to expand affordable housing aligned with livelihoods and infrastructure.
The outcomes of the conclave aim to provide actionable insights for building inclusive, resilient and well-governed cities.