A recent survey conducted by the Bengaluru-based think tank Janaagraha has shed light on a critical urban planning issue in India. The Annual Survey of India's City-System 2023 reveals that a significant 39 percent of the country's capital cities currently do not possess an active master plan. Furthermore, the survey underscores the limited influence of mayors and councillors in crucial municipal functions. The survey's findings, unveiled by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, indicate that 17 percent of Indian cities experience mayoral tenures of fewer than five years. Such short tenures render the role of the mayor predominantly ceremonial and inconsequential, according to the report. Mayors and councillors in India are grappling with a lack of empowerment, owing to the severe restrictions placed on devolution of functions and powers concerning funds and functionaries. Additionally, the situation is exacerbated by the practice of rotational reservations mandated by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which allocates reserved seats through rotation among different city wards. These findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive urban planning reforms and enhanced roles for municipal authorities in India's city governance systems.A recent survey conducted by the Bengaluru-based think tank Janaagraha has shed light on a critical urban planning issue in India. The Annual Survey of India's City-System 2023 reveals that a significant 39 percent of the country's capital cities currently do not possess an active master plan. Furthermore, the survey underscores the limited influence of mayors and councillors in crucial municipal functions. The survey's findings, unveiled by Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, indicate that 17 percent of Indian cities experience mayoral tenures of fewer than five years. Such short tenures render the role of the mayor predominantly ceremonial and inconsequential, according to the report. Mayors and councillors in India are grappling with a lack of empowerment, owing to the severe restrictions placed on devolution of functions and powers concerning funds and functionaries. Additionally, the situation is exacerbated by the practice of rotational reservations mandated by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which allocates reserved seats through rotation among different city wards. These findings underscore the pressing need for comprehensive urban planning reforms and enhanced roles for municipal authorities in India's city governance systems.