BRICS Cities Must Exchange Technology and Expertise for Sustainable Urban Development: Eknath Shinde

Mumbai, August 11: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde called for greater cooperation among BRICS countries to promote sustainable and citizen-centric urban development.

Speaking at the BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave 2026 in Worli, Mumbai, Shinde said BRICS nations should share advanced technology, knowledge, information and practical experiences to accelerate global development and help cities achieve sustainable growth.

The two-day conclave, organised by Mumbai First, was inaugurated in the presence of Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma. Mayors, city representatives, urban planners and experts from BRICS countries are participating in the event.

Shinde said cities are not merely structures of concrete and steel but “growth engines” of national economies. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he said urbanisation should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a challenge.

He highlighted common urban challenges such as climate change, flooding, heatwaves, traffic congestion, pollution, water management and affordable housing, stressing that solutions require cross-border cooperation.

Quoting Sant Tukaram Maharaj’s message, “Ekameka sahay karu, avaghe dharu supanth”, Shinde urged cities to support one another and collectively pursue the path of development.

He said the true measure of urban development should be improved quality of life, including safe housing, clean air, efficient transport, better opportunities for children and effective disaster management.

Shinde said Maharashtra is accelerating development in Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, Thane and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar through metro projects, roads, drainage, redevelopment, affordable housing, digital services, green infrastructure and disaster management.

He also stressed the need to strengthen climate resilience in coastal Mumbai through flood control, coastal protection, green spaces, rainwater management, sustainable transport and technology-driven planning.

Highlighting global innovations such as digital twins, AI-based traffic management and smart governance, Shinde said BRICS cities can learn from each other instead of merely competing.

He added that Maharashtra remains committed to attracting investment, supporting industries, encouraging innovation and expanding international cooperation in urban development.