India's bustling cities, engines of economic growth and home to millions, are often managed by a fragmented and ineffective governance structure. At the heart of this problem lies the figure of the mayor—a position designed for leadership but stripped of real executive power. This systemic flaw stifles urban development and denies citizens accountable local governance.
The Ceremonial Mayor: A Figurehead Without Authority
In most Indian cities, the mayor's role is largely symbolic. The true power over critical urban functions—water supply, public transport, land use planning, and major infrastructure projects—rests with various state government-controlled agencies and parastatal bodies. These entities, such as development authorities and public works departments, operate with limited accountability to the city's elected council or its mayor.
This creates a paradoxical situation where the person citizens perceive as the city's leader has little control over its most pressing issues. The mayor, often elected indirectly by councilors for a short term, becomes a ceremonial head, presiding over functions without the authority to implement a coherent vision for the city's future. This disconnect between responsibility and power is a fundamental flaw in India's urban governance model.
State Control vs. Local Empowerment
The current system is a legacy of a centralized approach to governance, where state governments are reluctant to cede control over lucrative urban assets and decision-making. City corporations and municipal councils are frequently hamstrung by limited financial autonomy, relying heavily on state grants for major projects. This financial dependency further weakens the mayor's position and makes long-term, integrated planning nearly impossible.
As noted by commentator A Ravindra in his opinion piece dated 05 December 2025, this structure prevents the emergence of strong, visible city leadership that can be held directly responsible by the electorate. When multiple agencies work in silos, with no single leader coordinating their efforts, the result is policy paralysis, inefficient service delivery, and a lack of innovative solutions to urban challenges like traffic congestion, waste management, and housing.
The Path Forward: Direct Elections and Clear Mandates
For Indian cities to thrive and become globally competitive, there is a growing consensus on the need for reform. The solution lies in moving towards a system of directly elected mayors with stable tenures of five years, backed by a clear mandate from the people. Such leaders need to be vested with unambiguous executive authority over all civic agencies operating within the city's jurisdiction.
Empowering mayors would mean consolidating administrative control, streamlining budgets, and establishing a single point of accountability. This model, successfully implemented in major global cities, allows for decisive leadership, faster implementation of projects, and a direct line of responsibility between the voter and the city's chief executive. It would transform the mayor from a figurehead into a true chief minister of the city.
Our cities, facing unprecedented growth and complex challenges, deserve no less. They need leaders who can truly lead, unify disparate departments, and craft a sustainable urban vision. Strengthening the institution of the mayor is not just an administrative tweak; it is essential for building the smart, livable, and efficient cities that India aspires to create.
