Delhi stinks, Mumbai not sustainable: UN report

Mumbai and Delhi may be two of India's most prosperous cities and among the world's fastest-growing in purely economic terms, but on a more comprehensive 'prosperity index' devised by the United Nations, they rank near the bottom in the world.

According to a report titled 'State of the World's Cities 2012-2013' released on Wednesday by United Nations Habitat, in terms of productivity, infrastructure, quality of life, equity and environmental sustainability, Mumbai and Delhi lag behind even relatively obscure cities like Tegucigalapa in Honduras and Yerevan in Armenia.

 In fact, the national capital is ranked virtually the lowest among 95 cities in the environment index in terms of environmental sustainability. Delhi scores only 0.448 out of a maximum of 1 in this last category, much less than even Dhaka and Kathmandu.

Delhi's poor position in the environment segment has contributed to its low ranking at 58 among 95 cities surveyed.

A city will be considered to be environmentally sustainable, according to this report, when it values protection of the urban environment and natural assets while ensuring growth.

It should also be seeking ways to use energy more efficiently, minimise pressure on surrounding land and natural resources and minimise environmental losses by generating creative solutions to enhance the quality of environment.