Cities are India’s economic powerhouses, contributing significantly to national growth. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are at the heart of city management, responsible for delivering essential services and infrastructure. However, the effectiveness of ULBs depends on strong citizen engagement and accountable governance. Primus Partners, in its latest report “Listening Cities: Reconnecting Citizens, Municipal Leaders & Local Governance,” highlights the critical need to strengthen citizen engagement and municipal accountability for more effective urban governance.

Primus Primus conducted an online perception survey, covering over 2500 urban citizen, highlights disconnect between citizens and their elected municipal representatives. While electoral awareness is present, issues such as low civic participation, weak transparency, and limited public dialogue hinder effective urban governance. The results underscore the urgent need for renewed citizen-representative engagement, institutional reforms, and participatory planning. Strengthening municipal governance will not only enhance service delivery but also ensure that cities continue to drive national economic growth in an inclusive and sustainable manner.