ET Awards: DLF chairman emeritus Kushal Pal Singh calls for long-term urbanisation reforms to drive India’s growth

Kushal Pal Singh, chairman emeritus of DLF, has called for a long-term, reform-led urbanisation strategy, saying India must think beyond incremental change to unlock higher economic growth and raise per capita income.

"I have witnessed India's journey since independence. Our urbanisation policy remains constrained and needs a bold vision for the next 50-100 years," Singh said while accepting ET's Lifetime Achievement Award. "Radical reforms are essential to raise per capita income for our 1.4 billion people. India's urbanisation at around 37% lags far behind China and developed nations. As highlighted in a McKinsey report, India needs to build a Chicago-sized city every year to sustain meaningful economic growth."

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The remarks come at a time when policymakers are sharpening focus on infrastructure creation, manufacturing expansion and urban development as key growth drivers. Singh emphasised in his speech that large-scale, well-planned cities are critical to absorbing migration, improving productivity and enabling a shift from agriculture-led livelihoods to industry and services.

He also highlighted the need for deeper integration with global markets, alongside strengthening domestic growth engines such as micro, small and medium enterprises, which remain central to employment generation. Sectors including housing, tourism, construction and public health need to be identified as key areas capable of creating jobs at scale with the right policy support.

The industry veteran also expressed confidence in India's leadership to deliver transformative change under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "At 96-plus, I still hope to see this new India rise once again," he said.

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Singh's comments echo a broader industry view that India's growth ambitions will depend on decisive reforms, faster urbanisation and sustained investment momentum in the coming decades.