Uttar Pradesh has once again demonstrated its leadership in progressive urban planning and sustainable development, this time on a global platform. The state government earned high praise at the prestigious Global Innovation Summit held in Paris for its pioneering efforts in water resource and solid waste management. A standout achievement recognised at the summit was UP’s innovative ‘One City, One Operator’ model, hailed as a global benchmark in sewerage management.
The summit, hosted in Paris and attended by over 250 delegates from 25 countries, served as a forum to discuss scalable solutions for urban challenges worldwide. Uttar Pradesh emerged as a key participant, drawing significant attention for its strategic and technology-driven approach to waste and water systems. Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department, Amrit Abhijat, represented the state at the event and delivered a compelling presentation that highlighted UP’s strides under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
One of the central themes of the state’s presentation was the successful implementation of the ‘One City, One Operator’ model. This policy assigns a single operator to oversee sewerage management in each urban area, thereby ensuring greater accountability, efficiency, and uniformity in service delivery. The model has become a reference point in public utilities management, particularly in high-density urban settings where fragmented systems often fail to deliver optimal results.
Amrit Abhijat elaborated on how this model has significantly streamlined operations, reduced systemic delays, and enhanced the quality of urban sanitation. According to him, the integrated approach allows better monitoring and timely intervention, contributing to cleaner cities and improved public health outcomes. The global audience appreciated this practical yet effective framework, with many countries expressing interest in replicating the model.
The state’s achievements were further amplified through the successful execution of cutting-edge technologies during the Maha Kumbh 2025, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. With over 66 crore devotees attending the event, managing waste and water resources at such a scale was an enormous logistical challenge.
However, Uttar Pradesh turned this into an opportunity to showcase its capabilities. The state deployed mobile faecal sludge and septage management (FSSM) units, SCADA systems for real-time monitoring, advanced sewage treatment plants (STPs), GIS-based sprinklers, and Geotube technology for eco-friendly waste disposal. These innovations ensured the event remained not only spiritually fulfilling for devotees but also environmentally sustainable.
Summit delegates acknowledged that the seamless sanitation and water services provided during the Maha Kumbh set a new global benchmark for managing large-scale events. The use of digital tools and smart infrastructure to tackle urban and event-based challenges reflected a mature and forward-looking governance model.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s efforts received resounding applause at the Suez-hosted conference, where several international delegates expressed admiration for the state’s approach. Some even initiated bilateral meetings with UP officials to discuss potential collaborations and explore the possibility of adopting similar frameworks in their own countries.
Officials noted that the interest from foreign governments marked a pivotal moment in UP’s journey toward becoming a global knowledge leader in urban infrastructure and sustainable resource management. Countries from Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe reportedly showed enthusiasm for entering technical cooperation agreements, with proposals being floated to exchange expertise and jointly pilot some of UP’s initiatives abroad.
This level of international engagement underscores UP’s transformation into a state where innovative policy meets practical implementation, driven by the vision of technology-led urban development.
UP’s participation at the summit also served a larger purpose – positioning India as a hub of innovation and sustainable development. While India has long been regarded as a country of immense scale and diversity, UP’s showing at the summit projected the nation as equally capable of delivering smart and scalable solutions to complex urban challenges.
By successfully managing waste and water during a religious congregation of massive scale, and by institutionalising models like ‘One City, One Operator’, UP not only improved its own infrastructure but also contributed to India’s reputation as a rising leader in global sustainability efforts.
According to senior officials, the state is now planning to expand the scope of its existing models and explore PPP-based (Public-Private Partnership) frameworks, which will further enhance service delivery and open doors to private sector innovations. The state is also working on capacity building and training programs to help other Indian states replicate these successful initiatives.
The recognition is not just a pat on the back but a clear indication that the policies being implemented at the grassroots in India’s most populous state are setting trends that resonate on the world stage.
From ensuring sanitation for millions at the Maha Kumbh to reimagining city management through the ‘One City, One Operator’ model, Uttar Pradesh has showcased that bold vision, backed by innovation and efficient governance, can solve even the most daunting of urban challenges.
As talks of international collaborations move forward, UP’s urban development model could soon find resonance in cities far beyond India’s borders. What started as a domestic reform agenda under CM Yogi Adityanath is now being hailed globally as a blueprint for sustainable urban living.
