Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called on cities across BRICS nations to move beyond discussions and strengthen city-to-city partnerships to address shared urban challenges, including climate change, flooding, traffic congestion, pollution, water management and affordable housing.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 in Worli, Shinde said cities should exchange technology, expertise and innovative solutions to build inclusive, resilient and future-ready urban centres.
“Cities are not merely structures of bricks and concrete but growth engines of a country’s economy,” Shinde said, stressing that urbanisation should be treated as an opportunity rather than a challenge.
He said the success of urban development should not be judged only by high-rise skylines. Efficient mobility, safe housing, clean air, opportunities for children and effective disaster response should be the real measures of a well-planned city.
Shinde highlighted Mumbai’s vulnerability to rising sea levels, flooding and higher temperatures, and said Maharashtra was working on flood mitigation, coastal protection, green cover, rainwater management, sustainable transport and technology-led planning. He also pointed to digital twins, artificial intelligence-based traffic management and smart governance as tools that could improve urban planning.
Former Maharashtra additional chief secretary Praveen Pardeshi highlighted Mumbai’s public transport challenges. He said BEST’s daily ridership had dropped from 4.8 million to around 2.4 million, while its fleet of 3,200 buses was far below the estimated requirement of 12,000-15,000. He called for rapid fleet expansion, electrification, charging infrastructure and sustainable financing.
Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said cities must become prosperous, equitable, sustainable and people-oriented, while Mumbai First chairman Narinder Nayar stressed the importance of solutions grounded in local realities.
Mumbai First vice-chairman Ashank Desai said the organisation was working towards building “wise cities” through global collaboration.
Shinde also urged cities to cooperate rather than compete, quoting Sant Tukaram: “Ekmeka sahay karu, avaghe dharu supanth.”
The conclave, being held on August 11 and 12, brings together urban planners, policymakers, city representatives and experts from BRICS and partner nations. It is organised by Mumbai First with support from the governments of Maharashtra and India.
Source: The Times of India
