CDRI launches $2.5 million initiative to boost urban infrastructure

26 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) announced a $2.5 million funding initiative on September 24, in New Delhi. This initiative aims to enhance urban infrastructure resilience in 30 low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The funding will benefit five cities facing critical challenges such as extreme heat, flooding, and water scarcity, which threaten urban populations and essential infrastructure.

The initiative is part of CDRI's Urban Infrastructure Resilience Programme, which focuses on four key infrastructure sectors: energy, transportation, social infrastructure, and water systems. The programme’s goal is to ensure that both new and existing infrastructure investments incorporate climate and disaster resilience strategies.

CDRI Director General Amit Prothi highlighted the programme’s significance. He said, "this $2.5 million funding will support cities most at risk from extreme heat, flooding, and water scarcity, equipping them with the data and tools necessary to embed resilience into infrastructure design, operation, and maintenance."

The programme will employ data-driven decision-making to enhance urban infrastructure design and operations, helping cities withstand shocks and stresses related to urbanisation and climate change. The overarching objective is to promote urban liveability by ensuring that critical infrastructure is resilient to climate and disaster risks.

CDRI, launched in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Climate Action Summit, is a global partnership involving national governments, UN agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and academia. Its mission is to promote infrastructure resilience to climate change and disaster risks, fostering safer and more sustainable urban development worldwide.

Resources

03 Jun 2026

Jyoti Structures Launches Heat Safety Drive Across Sites

Jyoti Structures (JSL) has strengthened heat safety measures across its project sites and manufacturing facilities as temperatures rise across India. The company has implemented a Summer Safety Plan covering all transmission line projects to address risks related to heat stress, dehydration and worker fatigue.The initiative includes rescheduling work away from peak afternoon temperatures, provision of drinking water, ORS and lemon-salt solutions, and installation of rest shelters near work areas. Daily toolbox talks, worker health monitoring, first-aid preparedness, emergency transport arrange..

MHADA Declares 82 Buildings Most Dangerous in Central and South Mumbai

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has declared 82 buildings as most dangerous across Central and South Mumbai and has appealed to residents to vacate immediately. The list, prepared after structural assessments by the authority, identifies buildings judged to pose imminent risk to occupants and to passersby. Local civic bodies have been asked to coordinate evacuations and to make arrangements for temporary shelter and rehabilitation for displaced households. Officials said the authority prioritised buildings with visible structural distress, severe cracking, tiltin..

Damage Reported At Halwara Airport Terminal After First Rains

Severe damage was reported at the terminal of Halwara Airport during the first major rain spell of the season, prompting immediate concern among aviation and local authorities. Images from the site showed water ingress and visible deterioration of the terminal interior, affecting passenger areas and ancillary services. The airport authority suspended certain operations temporarily to assess structural safety and ensure passenger wellbeing. Preliminary inspections have prioritised electrical systems and roof seals to prevent further water ingress. State aviation officials ordered a formal inqui..