Urbanisation major challenge due to unplanned expansion, rising pollution levels: Jitendra

Union Minister for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday pointed out that urbanisation, while a symbol of progress, has also emerged as a major challenge due to unplanned expansion, encroachment on floodplains, depletion of groundwater reserves, and rising pollution levels.

The Union Minister highlighted that South Asia alone is home to over 750 million people exposed to severe climate hazards, from Himalayan glacier melt to coastal flooding and urban heat islands, emphasizing that Delhi, Dhaka, Bangkok, and Manila are among the most climate-vulnerable megacities projected by 2050.

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He was speaking at the Asian Conference on Geography (ACG 2025) at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Referring to the 2014 Srinagar floods as an example, the Union Minister for Science and Technology said such disasters are not merely natural, but often aggravated by human negligence and poor planning.

Delivering the inaugural address at the Asian Conference, Dr. Singh cited alarming statistics: nearly 80 per cent of wastewater in developing Asian countries is discharged untreated, and urban India generates over 55 million tonnes of solid waste annually, growing at 5 per cent per year.

He said the conference is timely and crucial, as it addresses three deeply interconnected issues- climate change, urbanisation, and sustainable resource management, that collectively determine the sustainability of our shared future.

The Minister lauded Jamia Millia Islamia for hosting the first-ever edition of this prestigious conference in India and commended Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mazhar Ali and the organizing team for bringing together international experts, academics, and students to deliberate on these global challenges.

Dr. Singh observed that Asia lies at the centre of global transformation, marked by impressive industrial and economic dynamism, yet contributing to more than half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Citing the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, he cautioned that the region faces growing vulnerability to extreme weather events, including heatwaves, floods, and water stress, if emissions continue at current levels.