Mumbai, 25^th May, 2026: BMC, the urban local body of Mumbai and IIM Mumbai, an Institution of National Importance under the IIM Act, 2017, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a structured framework for institutional collaboration in the areas of urban governance, research, innovation, and capacity building. The MoU was signed by Smt. Ashwini Bhide, hon. Municipal Commissioner, BMC, and Prof. Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director, IIM Mumbai, in the presence of Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City), Shri Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), Dr. Avinash Dhakne, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs), Shri. Vinayak Vispute, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Special), Shri Prashant Gaikwad, DMC (MCO), Smt. Shashi Bala, Chief- Business Development, and Lt Cdr Nisha Singh (Retd), Chief Administrative Officer, IIM Mumbai.

The collaboration seeks to bridge academic rigour with civic action by leveraging IIM Mumbai’s expertise in management, analytics, public policy, and operations to address the complex urban challenges faced by Mumbai, one of the world’s largest and most dynamic metropolitan regions.

Key Areas of Collaboration:

The MoU spans several strategic domains, including:

* Research and Policy Advisory: Joint studies on urban governance, municipal finance, infrastructure planning, and public administration, leading to policy briefs and advisory inputs for BMC.

* Data Analytics and Smart Governance: Development of predictive models, operational dashboards, and analytical frameworks to support BMC’s digital transformation and evidence-based decision-making.

* Capacity Building and Executive Education: Customized programmes for BMC officers in areas such as Executive MBA in Urban Management, Geo-Spatial Infrastructure Planning aligned with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, PPP Governance and Risk Management, and Public Procurement and Contract Management.

* Operations and Process Improvement: Enhancing efficiency in municipal services including solid waste management, water supply systems, healthcare logistics, and citizen-centric service delivery.

* Sustainability and Climate Resilience: Collaborative projects focused on flood management, climate adaptation, carbon reduction, environmental sustainability, and circular economy practices.

* Public Health Systems: Designing data-driven frameworks for disease surveillance, health systems planning, and public healthcare delivery optimization.

* Student and Academic Engagement: Opportunities for live consulting projects, internships, field immersion, and doctoral research by IIM Mumbai students on BMC-identified urban problem statements.

A major outcome envisaged under the partnership is the establishment of a joint BMC-IIM Mumbai Urban Innovation Lab / Centre of Excellence, which will function as a living laboratory for applied urban innovation using Mumbai as a test-bed for scalable and implementable solutions.

The proposed Urban Innovation Lab will:

* Pilot innovative solutions in mobility, waste management, water systems, and digital governance;

* Facilitate collaboration among students, faculty, startups, civic administrators, and policymakers;

* Generate a continuous pipeline of applied research and implementation-oriented urban solutions; and

* Strengthen Mumbai’s position as a model city for data-driven and sustainable urban governance.

To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) co-chaired by the Director, IIM Mumbai, and the Municipal Commissioner, BMC, will be constituted within 30 days of signing the MoU. The committee will identify priority projects, monitor progress, and review outcomes on a quarterly basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Ashwini Bhide, Municipal Commissioner, BMC, said: “Mumbai’s scale and complexity require collaborative approaches grounded in knowledge, innovation, and institutional capacity. This partnership with IIM Mumbai will help strengthen evidence-based governance, enhance administrative capabilities, and create sustainable urban solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the city and its citizens.”

Manoj Kumar Tiwari, Director, IIM Mumbai said: “This MoU represents a meaningful convergence of academic excellence and civic leadership. Through this partnership, IIM Mumbai’s faculty, researchers, and students will work closely with BMC to develop innovative, data-driven, and implementable solutions that strengthen urban governance and improve the quality of life for citizens.”

This collaboration is envisioned as a pioneering national model for meaningful engagement between academic institutions and urban local bodies, demonstrating how research-led governance can contribute to more efficient, resilient, and citizen-focused cities.

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Hyderabad: January 30^th, 2026: CREDAI Hyderabad welcomes the Economic Survey 2025–26, which reaffirms Hyderabad’s role as a key driver of India’s urban and economic growth. The Survey projects 7.4% GDP growth for FY26, supported by strong Gross Fixed Capital Formation nearing 30% of GDP, a resilient services sector growing at 9.1%, and credible fiscal consolidation with the fiscal deficit at around 4.8% of GDP.

Hyderabad’s growth stands out for its simultaneous urban densification and rapid peripheral expansion, reflecting sustained demand for high-density residential and commercial development. This pattern highlights the need for possibility-oriented urbanism, where infrastructure, mobility, and utilities keep pace with city expansion.

The Survey highlights strong sectoral performance, with the Financial, Real Estate and Professional Services sector growing by 9.9% in H1 FY26, while construction recorded 7.4% growth, underscoring the multiplier impact of public capital expenditure on housing, jobs, and infrastructure.

Commenting on the Economic Survey, Mr. Jagannath Rao Bandari, President-elect, CREDAI Hyderabad, said:

“The Economic Survey captures Hyderabad’s unique growth trajectory, with both core densification and peripheral expansion progressing together. To sustain this momentum, it is critical to address constraints in land, mobility, and infrastructure through predictable regulations, contextual compliance, and trust-based governance.”

CREDAI Hyderabad aligns with the Survey’s assessment that the high cost of capital remains a key constraint and calls for risk-mitigation tools, partial credit guarantees, and improved access to long-term finance to support housing supply across segments.

Looking ahead to the Union Budget 2026, CREDAI Hyderabad expects continued emphasis on infrastructure funding and public capex to sustain 7–8% construction growth, along with expanded support for PMAY 2.0, single-window clearances, and viability gap funding for affordable housing.

On taxation for homebuyers, CREDAI Hyderabad urges further reforms including higher income-tax deductions on home loans, NPS-like tax benefits linked to housing finance, and rationalisation of stamp duties, which will enhance affordability and boost middle-class homeownership.

CREDAI Hyderabad reiterates its commitment to reform-led growth, affordable housing, and sustainable urban development, and looks forward to policies that strengthen Hyderabad’s contribution to India’s $5 trillion economy.

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