Who pays for India’s cities?
Follow the money behind Indian urban services, from property-tax rolls and municipal loans to water reliability and the market for treated wastewater.
25 Nov 2025
India’s cities should fix the property tax roll before raising rates
The first rupee of reliable municipal revenue may come from finding missing properties and valuing them fairly. A higher rate on the existing roll can leave the underlying problem untouched.
17 Feb 2026
The Urban Challenge Fund needs a repayment plan for every project
India’s new urban fund requires market financing. Its public value depends on which risks lenders test and which costs cities can repay without sacrificing essential services.
21 Apr 2026
India’s small-city loan guarantee should reward a credible second loan
A first municipal borrowing can be hard even for a viable project. The new guarantee will prove its value if a city builds a repayment record and can later borrow with less protection.
28 Jul 2026
Private finance for India’s cities comes with public obligations
A July parliamentary reply clarifies how private operators can deliver large urban projects. The contract matters more than the label on the financing.
25 Aug 2026
Chennai’s water loan should be judged by reliable hours of service
A $230 million loan will help finance Chennai’s water and sanitation network. Reliable supply and lower household coping costs are the outcomes to test.
28 Oct 2026
Cities need dependable buyers before they borrow against wastewater sales
India’s new treated-water marketplace can help find customers. Financing a reuse project still depends on delivered cost, contract terms and water quality.