NOV 08: Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Manohar Lal, inaugurated the National Urban Conclave 2025 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The two-day event brings together over 2,500 participants — policymakers, urban planners, experts, and stakeholders — to deliberate on the theme “Sustainable Urban Development and Governance.”
During the inaugural session, the Minister launched key initiatives including the Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) and the Urban Invest Window (UiWIN). DRAP, a mission-mode programme, will prioritize 214 high-impact dumpsites holding 80% of legacy waste to fast-track India’s progress toward “Lakshya Zero Dumpsites” by September 2026. So far, 1,048 sites have been fully remediated, reclaiming about 7,580 acres of land.
The Urban Invest Window (UiWIN), developed under HUDCO and guided by MoHUA, aims to serve as a one-stop investment facilitation platform for Indian cities, enabling access to concessional financing and promoting PPP-based infrastructure projects. The Minister also launched the Swachh Bharat Mission – Knowledge Management Unit (KMU) at NIUA, which will function as a national platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building.
In addition, the Minister unveiled the AMRUT anthem ‘Jal Hi Janani’, highlighting the importance of water conservation.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Manohar Lal emphasized that every city must progress according to its local needs, and while building urban assets is vital, their maintenance and management are equally crucial. He underscored that initiatives like DRAP and UiWIN will play a key role in shaping cleaner, greener, and more liveable cities aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
