The Department of Municipal Affairs, as the nodal authority for policy formulation, regulation, and monitoring of the of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), plays a pivotal role in strengthening urban governance in the State as well as facilitating infrastructure development in ULBs. Established as a full fledged Directorate in 2015 to oversee municipal and town councils, one of the primary responsibilities of the Department is to coordinate and support ULB operations, facilitate financial reforms and strengthen Institutional capacity and frame municipal regulations for efficient urban governance and effective service delivery.
The Department facilities urban planning and infrastructure development through the implementation of flagship urban programme such as Smart City Mission and PMAY-Housing for All (Urban) while also addressing key urban service areas including sanitation and provision of urban amenities.
Recognizing the importance of institutional capacity, the Department is entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) which is a think tank on urban planning and development under the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), to provide structured training and technical support for ULB functionaries thereby strengthening institutional, legal, and financial frameworks.
Through continuous guidance, regular training programmes and workshop, the Department seeks to build resilient and transparent ULBs capable of delivering efficient services, supporting infrastructure development, and addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization