During a meeting with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in September, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed a desire to create “several Singapores” of its own. The question arises: what does Modi mean by this, and is it feasible to have multiple Singapores in India?
Leaders worldwide have long admired Singapore as an ultra high-tech, safe, and prosperous city with high human capital and political stability. The city has managed to successfully embrace multiculturalism in a world of ethnic conflicts. Since gaining independence in 1965, Singapore has seen its GDP per capita rise from $500 to around $85,000, setting an example for the cities of the future.
However, Singapore’s uniqueness lies in its status as an independent city-state with the freedom to pursue its own policies, such as meritocracy and free market practices. These policies might be challenging to implement in India due to its complex electoral system, quotas, subsidies, and caste-based politics. Additionally, Singapore’s strategic location at the Strait of Malacca plays a crucial role in its economic success.
In contrast, Indian cities lack autonomy in decision-making, with limited ability for state and union governments to efficiently manage urban issues. Mayors in Indian cities have minimal power, as executive authority rests with unelected bureaucrats. Public services in Indian cities are often subpar, lacking essential services like sewage and garbage collection.
Improving Indian cities would require directly elected and accountable urban executives who are responsive to the population’s needs. Development efforts at the state level in India have gained momentum, driven by the fear of losing power if basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, and schools are not provided.
While the idea of replicating Singapore’s success in India is appealing, starting from scratch seems daunting. Enhancing existing infrastructure in major Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru through initiatives like the Smart Cities Mission could be more practical than building entirely new cities.
The success of planned cities in India, such as Chandigarh and Gandhinagar, shows promise, although not all initiatives have thrived due to various factors like location and purpose. Notably, the creation of planned cities can be unpredictable, with examples like Washington, D.C. and Brasilia serving as successful capitals, while others like Saudi Arabia’s The Line project faced downsizing.
Ultimately, the focus should be on improving existing cities rather than creating new ones. India has numerous cities with economic and cultural significance, and investing in these established hubs might yield better returns than embarking on costly new ventures. Aiming for prosperity and livability in existing cities like Frankfurt, Antwerp, Bangkok, or Tokyo could be a more sustainable approach than solely seeking to replicate Singapore’s model.