River Cities Alliance

http://indiarca.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dedf-4926-8f17-05ad7f823983-1.mp4#t=0.1

Welcome to

River Cities
Alliance

Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


Explore RCA


June 2026
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30          
« May   Jul »

Coming
Soon

Coming
Soon

About us

The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


Read More


Collaborate Now

Our Activities






new









Capacity Building
Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
Technical Support
The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
(RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
Institutional Development
Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

Knowledge Exchange & Networking
RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
cities.
Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
opportunities
for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Knowledge Creation and Documentation
RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
frameworks,
tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
cities.
This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
social
aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
to
inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
City Innovation Challenge
Coming Soon

Action Research
The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
Exposure Visits
Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
play
a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
the
significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
various aspects of river management.
Outreach and Advocacy
The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
through
various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
which
bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
River-sensitive Development.

Our Activities






new














Capacity Building
Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
Technical Support
The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
(RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
urban river management.
Institutional Development
Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
management.
Knowledge Exchange & Networking
RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
cities.
Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
opportunities
for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Knowledge Creation and Documentation
RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
frameworks,
tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
cities.
City Innovation Challenge
Coming Soon
Action Research
The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
and
social perspectives.
Exposure Visits
Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
play
a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
Outreach and Advocacy
The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
through
various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
which
bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
management.

RCA JOURNEY









The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

Mar‘19

The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

“There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

Dec‘19


Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

Nov‘20


Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
 
The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

Jun‘21


Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

Nov‘21


URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

Oct‘22

10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

Feb‘23

pic1
pic2
pic3
pic4
pic5

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

Sep‘23

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

Dec‘23

Rectangle 34624711
Rectangle 34624712
Rectangle 34624713

The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

Mar‘19

The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

“There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

Dec‘19


Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

Nov‘20


Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
 
The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

Jun‘21


Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

Nov‘21


URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

Oct‘22

10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

Feb‘23

pic1
pic2
pic3
pic4
pic5

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

Sep‘23

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

Dec‘23

Rectangle 34624711
Rectangle 34624712
Rectangle 34624713







Alliance Memeber Cities

Himachal Pradesh



1
Poanta Sahib


1
Yamuna

Uttar Pradesh



24

Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



10
Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

Madhya Pradesh



3
Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


3
Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

Maharashtra



5
Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


6
Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

Bihar



21
Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


9
Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
Jharkhand



14
Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


8
Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

Odisha



1
Bhubaneswar


2
Kuakhai, Daya

West Bengal



31
Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


10
Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

Karnataka



1
Mangaluru


2
Netravati, Gurupura

Tamil Nadu



12
Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


14
Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

Uttarakhand



14
Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


10
Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

Andra pradesh



5
Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


5
Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

Rajasthan



3
Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


3
Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

Arunachal Pradesh



1
Itanagar


1
Dikrong

Gujrat



2
Surat, Vadodara


2
Tapti, Vishwamitri

Kerela



1
Thiruvananthapuram


2
Karamana, Killi

Ladakh



1
Leh


1
Indus

Telangana



1
Hyderabad


1
Musi

Assam



1
Guwahati


1
Brahmaputra

Tripura



1
Agartala


1
Haora

Mizoram



1
Aizawl


1
Tlawng


Please click on a state to know more

Get in touch or visit us

Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

(+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

call

 urvers@niua.org


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Welcome to

River Cities
Alliance

Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


Explore RCA


June 2026
M T W T F S S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30          
« May   Jul »

Coming
Soon

About us

The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


Read More


Collaborate Now

Our Activities






new









Capacity Building
Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
Technical Support
The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
(RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
Institutional Development
Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

Knowledge Exchange & Networking
RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
cities.
Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
opportunities
for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Knowledge Creation and Documentation
RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
frameworks,
tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
cities.
This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
social
aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
to
inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
City Innovation Challenge
Coming Soon

Action Research
The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
Exposure Visits
Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
play
a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
the
significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
various aspects of river management.
Outreach and Advocacy
The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
through
various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
which
bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
River-sensitive Development.

Our Activities






new














Capacity Building
Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
Technical Support
The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
(RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
urban river management.
Institutional Development
Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
management.
Knowledge Exchange & Networking
RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
cities.
Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
opportunities
for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
Knowledge Creation and Documentation
RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
frameworks,
tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
cities.
City Innovation Challenge
Coming Soon
Action Research
The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
and
social perspectives.
Exposure Visits
Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
play
a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
Outreach and Advocacy
The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
through
various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
which
bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
management.

RCA JOURNEY









The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

Mar‘19

The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

“There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

Dec‘19


Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

Nov‘20


Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
 
The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

Jun‘21


Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

Nov‘21


URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

Oct‘22

10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

Feb‘23

pic1
pic2
pic3
pic4
pic5

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

Sep‘23

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

Dec‘23

Rectangle 34624711
Rectangle 34624712
Rectangle 34624713







Alliance Memeber Cities

Himachal Pradesh



1
Poanta Sahib


1
Yamuna

Uttar Pradesh



24

Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



10
Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

Madhya Pradesh



3
Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


3
Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

Maharashtra



5
Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


6
Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

Bihar



21
Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


9
Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
Jharkhand



14
Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


8
Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

Odisha



1
Bhubaneswar


2
Kuakhai, Daya

West Bengal



31
Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


10
Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

Karnataka



1
Mangaluru


2
Netravati, Gurupura

Tamil Nadu



12
Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


14
Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

Uttarakhand



14
Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


10
Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

Andra pradesh



5
Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


5
Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

Rajasthan



3
Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


3
Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

Arunachal Pradesh



1
Itanagar


1
Dikrong

Gujrat



2
Surat, Vadodara


2
Tapti, Vishwamitri

Kerela



1
Thiruvananthapuram


2
Karamana, Killi

Ladakh



1
Leh


1
Indus

Telangana



1
Hyderabad


1
Musi

Assam



1
Guwahati


1
Brahmaputra

Tripura



1
Agartala


1
Haora

Mizoram



1
Aizawl


1
Tlawng


Please click on a state to know more

Get in touch or visit us

Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

(+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

call

 urvers@niua.org









    Download RCA Newsletter


    View all newsletters





    (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

     urvers@niua.org


    Facebook


    X-twitter


    Youtube


    Linkedin


    Instagram

    Useful Link

    Activity Calender

    RCA Data Wall

    DHARA 2025

    City Corner

    Resources

    Gallery

    Reach out to us

    © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

    Finding a casino online canada with instant e-wallet payouts is easier than ever now.

    Government of India

    Skip to Main Content


    -A


    A


    A+



    Accessibility Options

    Government of India










    DHARA 2025






    DHARA 2024


    Welcome to

    River Cities
    Alliance

    Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


    Explore RCA


    June 2026
    M T W T F S S
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7
    8 9 10 11 12 13 14
    15 16 17 18 19 20 21
    22 23 24 25 26 27 28
    29 30          
    « May   Jul »

    Coming
    Soon

    About us

    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

    In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

    Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

    The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


    Read More


    Collaborate Now

    Our Activities






    new









    Capacity Building
    Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
    bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
    Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
    to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
    Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
    Technical Support
    The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
    (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
    urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
    international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
    planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
    Institutional Development
    Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
    Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
    management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
    capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
    inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
    create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

    Knowledge Exchange & Networking
    RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
    sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
    cities.
    Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
    opportunities
    for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
    Knowledge Creation and Documentation
    RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
    frameworks,
    tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
    cities.
    This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
    social
    aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
    to
    inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
    City Innovation Challenge
    Coming Soon

    Action Research
    The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
    Exposure Visits
    Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
    play
    a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
    the
    significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
    development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
    various aspects of river management.
    Outreach and Advocacy
    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
    through
    various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
    which
    bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
    management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
    River-sensitive Development.

    Our Activities






    new














    Capacity Building
    Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
    bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
    Technical Support
    The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
    (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
    urban river management.
    Institutional Development
    Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
    Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
    management.
    Knowledge Exchange & Networking
    RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
    sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
    cities.
    Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
    opportunities
    for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
    Knowledge Creation and Documentation
    RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
    frameworks,
    tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
    cities.
    City Innovation Challenge
    Coming Soon
    Action Research
    The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
    between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
    and
    social perspectives.
    Exposure Visits
    Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
    play
    a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
    Outreach and Advocacy
    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
    through
    various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
    which
    bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
    management.

    RCA JOURNEY









    The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

    Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

    The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

    Mar‘19

    The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

    “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

    Dec‘19


    Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

    The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

    The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

    Nov‘20


    Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

    The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
     
    The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

    Jun‘21


    Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

    The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

    RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

    Nov‘21


    URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

    The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

    The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

    Oct‘22

    10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
    262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
    d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

    DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

    DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

    The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

    Feb‘23

    pic1
    pic2
    pic3
    pic4
    pic5

    Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

    Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

    In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

    Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

    Sep‘23

    The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

    The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

    The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

    Dec‘23

    Rectangle 34624711
    Rectangle 34624712
    Rectangle 34624713







    Alliance Memeber Cities

    Himachal Pradesh



    1
    Poanta Sahib


    1
    Yamuna

    Uttar Pradesh



    24

    Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



    10
    Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

    Madhya Pradesh



    3
    Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


    3
    Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

    Maharashtra



    5
    Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


    6
    Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

    Bihar



    21
    Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


    9
    Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
    Jharkhand



    14
    Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


    8
    Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

    Odisha



    1
    Bhubaneswar


    2
    Kuakhai, Daya

    West Bengal



    31
    Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


    10
    Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

    Karnataka



    1
    Mangaluru


    2
    Netravati, Gurupura

    Tamil Nadu



    12
    Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


    14
    Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

    Uttarakhand



    14
    Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


    10
    Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

    Andra pradesh



    5
    Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


    5
    Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

    Rajasthan



    3
    Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


    3
    Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

    Arunachal Pradesh



    1
    Itanagar


    1
    Dikrong

    Gujrat



    2
    Surat, Vadodara


    2
    Tapti, Vishwamitri

    Kerela



    1
    Thiruvananthapuram


    2
    Karamana, Killi

    Ladakh



    1
    Leh


    1
    Indus

    Telangana



    1
    Hyderabad


    1
    Musi

    Assam



    1
    Guwahati


    1
    Brahmaputra

    Tripura



    1
    Agartala


    1
    Haora

    Mizoram



    1
    Aizawl


    1
    Tlawng


    Please click on a state to know more

    Get in touch or visit us

    Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
    India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

    (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

    call

     urvers@niua.org









      Download RCA Newsletter


      View all newsletters





      (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

       urvers@niua.org


      Facebook


      X-twitter


      Youtube


      Linkedin


      Instagram

      Useful Link

      Activity Calender

      RCA Data Wall

      DHARA 2025

      City Corner

      Resources

      Gallery

      Reach out to us

      © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

      Government of India

      Skip to Main Content


      -A


      A


      A+



      Accessibility Options

      Government of India










      DHARA 2025






      DHARA 2024


      Welcome to

      River Cities
      Alliance

      Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


      Explore RCA


      June 2026
      M T W T F S S
      1 2 3 4 5 6 7
      8 9 10 11 12 13 14
      15 16 17 18 19 20 21
      22 23 24 25 26 27 28
      29 30          
      « May   Jul »

      Coming
      Soon

      About us

      The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

      In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

      Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

      The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


      Read More


      Collaborate Now

      Our Activities






      new









      Capacity Building
      Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
      bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
      Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
      to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
      Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
      Technical Support
      The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
      (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
      urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
      international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
      planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
      Institutional Development
      Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
      Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
      management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
      capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
      inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
      create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

      Knowledge Exchange & Networking
      RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
      sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
      cities.
      Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
      opportunities
      for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
      Knowledge Creation and Documentation
      RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
      frameworks,
      tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
      cities.
      This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
      social
      aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
      to
      inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
      City Innovation Challenge
      Coming Soon

      Action Research
      The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
      Exposure Visits
      Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
      play
      a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
      the
      significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
      development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
      various aspects of river management.
      Outreach and Advocacy
      The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
      through
      various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
      which
      bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
      management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
      River-sensitive Development.

      Our Activities






      new














      Capacity Building
      Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
      bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
      Technical Support
      The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
      (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
      urban river management.
      Institutional Development
      Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
      Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
      management.
      Knowledge Exchange & Networking
      RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
      sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
      cities.
      Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
      opportunities
      for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
      Knowledge Creation and Documentation
      RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
      frameworks,
      tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
      cities.
      City Innovation Challenge
      Coming Soon
      Action Research
      The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
      between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
      and
      social perspectives.
      Exposure Visits
      Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
      play
      a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
      Outreach and Advocacy
      The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
      through
      various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
      which
      bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
      management.

      RCA JOURNEY









      The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

      Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

      The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

      Mar‘19

      The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

      “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

      Dec‘19


      Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

      The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

      The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

      Nov‘20


      Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

      The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
       
      The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

      Jun‘21


      Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

      The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

      RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

      Nov‘21


      URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

      The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

      The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

      Oct‘22

      10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
      262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
      d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

      DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

      DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

      The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

      Feb‘23

      pic1
      pic2
      pic3
      pic4
      pic5

      Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

      Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

      In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

      Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

      Sep‘23

      The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

      The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

      The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

      At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

      Dec‘23

      Rectangle 34624711
      Rectangle 34624712
      Rectangle 34624713







      Alliance Memeber Cities

      Himachal Pradesh



      1
      Poanta Sahib


      1
      Yamuna

      Uttar Pradesh



      24

      Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



      10
      Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

      Madhya Pradesh



      3
      Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


      3
      Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

      Maharashtra



      5
      Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


      6
      Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

      Bihar



      21
      Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


      9
      Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
      Jharkhand



      14
      Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


      8
      Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

      Odisha



      1
      Bhubaneswar


      2
      Kuakhai, Daya

      West Bengal



      31
      Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


      10
      Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

      Karnataka



      1
      Mangaluru


      2
      Netravati, Gurupura

      Tamil Nadu



      12
      Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


      14
      Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

      Uttarakhand



      14
      Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


      10
      Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

      Andra pradesh



      5
      Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


      5
      Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

      Rajasthan



      3
      Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


      3
      Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

      Arunachal Pradesh



      1
      Itanagar


      1
      Dikrong

      Gujrat



      2
      Surat, Vadodara


      2
      Tapti, Vishwamitri

      Kerela



      1
      Thiruvananthapuram


      2
      Karamana, Killi

      Ladakh



      1
      Leh


      1
      Indus

      Telangana



      1
      Hyderabad


      1
      Musi

      Assam



      1
      Guwahati


      1
      Brahmaputra

      Tripura



      1
      Agartala


      1
      Haora

      Mizoram



      1
      Aizawl


      1
      Tlawng


      Please click on a state to know more

      Get in touch or visit us

      Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
      India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

      (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

      call

       urvers@niua.org









        Download RCA Newsletter


        View all newsletters





        (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

         urvers@niua.org


        Facebook


        X-twitter


        Youtube


        Linkedin


        Instagram

        Useful Link

        Activity Calender

        RCA Data Wall

        DHARA 2025

        City Corner

        Resources

        Gallery

        Reach out to us

        © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

        Finding a casino online canada with instant e-wallet payouts is easier than ever now.

        пинко казио

        Government of India

        Skip to Main Content


        -A


        A


        A+



        Accessibility Options

        Government of India










        DHARA 2025






        DHARA 2024


        Welcome to

        River Cities
        Alliance

        Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


        Explore RCA


        June 2026
        M T W T F S S
        1 2 3 4 5 6 7
        8 9 10 11 12 13 14
        15 16 17 18 19 20 21
        22 23 24 25 26 27 28
        29 30          
        « May   Jul »

        Coming
        Soon

        About us

        The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

        In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

        Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

        The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


        Read More


        Collaborate Now

        Our Activities






        new









        Capacity Building
        Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
        bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
        Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
        to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
        Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
        Technical Support
        The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
        (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
        urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
        international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
        planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
        Institutional Development
        Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
        Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
        management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
        capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
        inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
        create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

        Knowledge Exchange & Networking
        RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
        sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
        cities.
        Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
        opportunities
        for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
        Knowledge Creation and Documentation
        RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
        frameworks,
        tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
        cities.
        This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
        social
        aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
        to
        inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
        City Innovation Challenge
        Coming Soon

        Action Research
        The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
        Exposure Visits
        Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
        play
        a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
        the
        significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
        development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
        various aspects of river management.
        Outreach and Advocacy
        The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
        through
        various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
        which
        bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
        management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
        River-sensitive Development.

        Our Activities






        new














        Capacity Building
        Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
        bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
        Technical Support
        The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
        (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
        urban river management.
        Institutional Development
        Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
        Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
        management.
        Knowledge Exchange & Networking
        RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
        sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
        cities.
        Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
        opportunities
        for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
        Knowledge Creation and Documentation
        RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
        frameworks,
        tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
        cities.
        City Innovation Challenge
        Coming Soon
        Action Research
        The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
        between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
        and
        social perspectives.
        Exposure Visits
        Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
        play
        a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
        Outreach and Advocacy
        The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
        through
        various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
        which
        bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
        management.

        RCA JOURNEY









        The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

        Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

        The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

        Mar‘19

        The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

        “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

        Dec‘19


        Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

        The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

        The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

        Nov‘20


        Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

        The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
         
        The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

        Jun‘21


        Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

        The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

        RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

        Nov‘21


        URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

        The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

        The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

        Oct‘22

        10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
        262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
        d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

        DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

        DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

        The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

        Feb‘23

        pic1
        pic2
        pic3
        pic4
        pic5

        Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

        Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

        In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

        Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

        Sep‘23

        The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

        The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

        The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

        At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

        Dec‘23

        Rectangle 34624711
        Rectangle 34624712
        Rectangle 34624713







        Alliance Memeber Cities

        Himachal Pradesh



        1
        Poanta Sahib


        1
        Yamuna

        Uttar Pradesh



        24

        Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



        10
        Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

        Madhya Pradesh



        3
        Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


        3
        Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

        Maharashtra



        5
        Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


        6
        Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

        Bihar



        21
        Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


        9
        Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
        Jharkhand



        14
        Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


        8
        Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

        Odisha



        1
        Bhubaneswar


        2
        Kuakhai, Daya

        West Bengal



        31
        Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


        10
        Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

        Karnataka



        1
        Mangaluru


        2
        Netravati, Gurupura

        Tamil Nadu



        12
        Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


        14
        Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

        Uttarakhand



        14
        Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


        10
        Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

        Andra pradesh



        5
        Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


        5
        Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

        Rajasthan



        3
        Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


        3
        Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

        Arunachal Pradesh



        1
        Itanagar


        1
        Dikrong

        Gujrat



        2
        Surat, Vadodara


        2
        Tapti, Vishwamitri

        Kerela



        1
        Thiruvananthapuram


        2
        Karamana, Killi

        Ladakh



        1
        Leh


        1
        Indus

        Telangana



        1
        Hyderabad


        1
        Musi

        Assam



        1
        Guwahati


        1
        Brahmaputra

        Tripura



        1
        Agartala


        1
        Haora

        Mizoram



        1
        Aizawl


        1
        Tlawng


        Please click on a state to know more

        Get in touch or visit us

        Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
        India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

        (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

        call

         urvers@niua.org









          Download RCA Newsletter


          View all newsletters





          (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

           urvers@niua.org


          Facebook


          X-twitter


          Youtube


          Linkedin


          Instagram

          Useful Link

          Activity Calender

          RCA Data Wall

          DHARA 2025

          City Corner

          Resources

          Gallery

          Reach out to us

          © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

          Government of India

          Skip to Main Content


          -A


          A


          A+



          Accessibility Options

          Government of India










          DHARA 2025






          DHARA 2024


          Welcome to

          River Cities
          Alliance

          Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


          Explore RCA


          June 2026
          M T W T F S S
          1 2 3 4 5 6 7
          8 9 10 11 12 13 14
          15 16 17 18 19 20 21
          22 23 24 25 26 27 28
          29 30          
          « May   Jul »

          Coming
          Soon

          About us

          The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

          In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

          Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

          The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


          Read More


          Collaborate Now

          Our Activities






          new









          Capacity Building
          Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
          bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
          Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
          to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
          Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
          Technical Support
          The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
          (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
          urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
          international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
          planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
          Institutional Development
          Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
          Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
          management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
          capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
          inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
          create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

          Knowledge Exchange & Networking
          RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
          sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
          cities.
          Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
          opportunities
          for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
          Knowledge Creation and Documentation
          RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
          frameworks,
          tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
          cities.
          This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
          social
          aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
          to
          inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
          City Innovation Challenge
          Coming Soon

          Action Research
          The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
          Exposure Visits
          Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
          play
          a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
          the
          significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
          development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
          various aspects of river management.
          Outreach and Advocacy
          The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
          through
          various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
          which
          bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
          management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
          River-sensitive Development.

          Our Activities






          new














          Capacity Building
          Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
          bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
          Technical Support
          The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
          (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
          urban river management.
          Institutional Development
          Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
          Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
          management.
          Knowledge Exchange & Networking
          RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
          sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
          cities.
          Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
          opportunities
          for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
          Knowledge Creation and Documentation
          RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
          frameworks,
          tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
          cities.
          City Innovation Challenge
          Coming Soon
          Action Research
          The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
          between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
          and
          social perspectives.
          Exposure Visits
          Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
          play
          a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
          Outreach and Advocacy
          The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
          through
          various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
          which
          bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
          management.

          RCA JOURNEY









          The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

          Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

          The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

          Mar‘19

          The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

          “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

          Dec‘19


          Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

          The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

          The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

          Nov‘20


          Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

          The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
           
          The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

          Jun‘21


          Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

          The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

          RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

          Nov‘21


          URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

          The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

          The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

          Oct‘22

          10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
          262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
          d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

          DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

          DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

          The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

          Feb‘23

          pic1
          pic2
          pic3
          pic4
          pic5

          Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

          Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

          In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

          Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

          Sep‘23

          The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

          The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

          The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

          At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

          Dec‘23

          Rectangle 34624711
          Rectangle 34624712
          Rectangle 34624713







          Alliance Memeber Cities

          Himachal Pradesh



          1
          Poanta Sahib


          1
          Yamuna

          Uttar Pradesh



          24

          Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



          10
          Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

          Madhya Pradesh



          3
          Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


          3
          Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

          Maharashtra



          5
          Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


          6
          Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

          Bihar



          21
          Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


          9
          Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
          Jharkhand



          14
          Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


          8
          Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

          Odisha



          1
          Bhubaneswar


          2
          Kuakhai, Daya

          West Bengal



          31
          Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


          10
          Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

          Karnataka



          1
          Mangaluru


          2
          Netravati, Gurupura

          Tamil Nadu



          12
          Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


          14
          Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

          Uttarakhand



          14
          Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


          10
          Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

          Andra pradesh



          5
          Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


          5
          Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

          Rajasthan



          3
          Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


          3
          Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

          Arunachal Pradesh



          1
          Itanagar


          1
          Dikrong

          Gujrat



          2
          Surat, Vadodara


          2
          Tapti, Vishwamitri

          Kerela



          1
          Thiruvananthapuram


          2
          Karamana, Killi

          Ladakh



          1
          Leh


          1
          Indus

          Telangana



          1
          Hyderabad


          1
          Musi

          Assam



          1
          Guwahati


          1
          Brahmaputra

          Tripura



          1
          Agartala


          1
          Haora

          Mizoram



          1
          Aizawl


          1
          Tlawng


          Please click on a state to know more

          Get in touch or visit us

          Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
          India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

          (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

          call

           urvers@niua.org









            Download RCA Newsletter


            View all newsletters





            (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

             urvers@niua.org


            Facebook


            X-twitter


            Youtube


            Linkedin


            Instagram

            Useful Link

            Activity Calender

            RCA Data Wall

            DHARA 2025

            City Corner

            Resources

            Gallery

            Reach out to us

            © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

            Finding a casino online canada with instant e-wallet payouts is easier than ever now.

            Government of India

            Skip to Main Content


            -A


            A


            A+



            Accessibility Options

            Government of India










            DHARA 2025






            DHARA 2024


            Welcome to

            River Cities
            Alliance

            Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


            Explore RCA


            June 2026
            M T W T F S S
            1 2 3 4 5 6 7
            8 9 10 11 12 13 14
            15 16 17 18 19 20 21
            22 23 24 25 26 27 28
            29 30          
            « May   Jul »

            Coming
            Soon

            About us

            The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

            In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

            Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

            The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


            Read More


            Collaborate Now

            Our Activities






            new









            Capacity Building
            Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
            bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
            Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
            to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
            Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
            Technical Support
            The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
            (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
            urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
            international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
            planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
            Institutional Development
            Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
            Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
            management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
            capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
            inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
            create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

            Knowledge Exchange & Networking
            RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
            sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
            cities.
            Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
            opportunities
            for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
            Knowledge Creation and Documentation
            RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
            frameworks,
            tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
            cities.
            This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
            social
            aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
            to
            inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
            City Innovation Challenge
            Coming Soon

            Action Research
            The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
            Exposure Visits
            Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
            play
            a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
            the
            significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
            development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
            various aspects of river management.
            Outreach and Advocacy
            The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
            through
            various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
            which
            bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
            management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
            River-sensitive Development.

            Our Activities






            new














            Capacity Building
            Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
            bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
            Technical Support
            The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
            (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
            urban river management.
            Institutional Development
            Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
            Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
            management.
            Knowledge Exchange & Networking
            RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
            sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
            cities.
            Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
            opportunities
            for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
            Knowledge Creation and Documentation
            RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
            frameworks,
            tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
            cities.
            City Innovation Challenge
            Coming Soon
            Action Research
            The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
            between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
            and
            social perspectives.
            Exposure Visits
            Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
            play
            a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
            Outreach and Advocacy
            The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
            through
            various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
            which
            bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
            management.

            RCA JOURNEY









            The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

            Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

            The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

            Mar‘19

            The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

            “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

            Dec‘19


            Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

            The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

            The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

            Nov‘20


            Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

            The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
             
            The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

            Jun‘21


            Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

            The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

            RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

            Nov‘21


            URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

            The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

            The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

            Oct‘22

            10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
            262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
            d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

            DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

            DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

            The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

            Feb‘23

            pic1
            pic2
            pic3
            pic4
            pic5

            Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

            Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

            In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

            Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

            Sep‘23

            The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

            The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

            The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

            At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

            Dec‘23

            Rectangle 34624711
            Rectangle 34624712
            Rectangle 34624713







            Alliance Memeber Cities

            Himachal Pradesh



            1
            Poanta Sahib


            1
            Yamuna

            Uttar Pradesh



            24

            Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



            10
            Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

            Madhya Pradesh



            3
            Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


            3
            Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

            Maharashtra



            5
            Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


            6
            Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

            Bihar



            21
            Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


            9
            Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
            Jharkhand



            14
            Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


            8
            Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

            Odisha



            1
            Bhubaneswar


            2
            Kuakhai, Daya

            West Bengal



            31
            Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


            10
            Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

            Karnataka



            1
            Mangaluru


            2
            Netravati, Gurupura

            Tamil Nadu



            12
            Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


            14
            Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

            Uttarakhand



            14
            Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


            10
            Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

            Andra pradesh



            5
            Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


            5
            Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

            Rajasthan



            3
            Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


            3
            Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

            Arunachal Pradesh



            1
            Itanagar


            1
            Dikrong

            Gujrat



            2
            Surat, Vadodara


            2
            Tapti, Vishwamitri

            Kerela



            1
            Thiruvananthapuram


            2
            Karamana, Killi

            Ladakh



            1
            Leh


            1
            Indus

            Telangana



            1
            Hyderabad


            1
            Musi

            Assam



            1
            Guwahati


            1
            Brahmaputra

            Tripura



            1
            Agartala


            1
            Haora

            Mizoram



            1
            Aizawl


            1
            Tlawng


            Please click on a state to know more

            Get in touch or visit us

            Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
            India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

            (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

            call

             urvers@niua.org









              Download RCA Newsletter


              View all newsletters





              (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

               urvers@niua.org


              Facebook


              X-twitter


              Youtube


              Linkedin


              Instagram

              Useful Link

              Activity Calender

              RCA Data Wall

              DHARA 2025

              City Corner

              Resources

              Gallery

              Reach out to us

              © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

              Government of India

              Skip to Main Content


              -A


              A


              A+



              Accessibility Options

              Government of India










              DHARA 2025






              DHARA 2024


              Welcome to

              River Cities
              Alliance

              Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


              Explore RCA


              June 2026
              M T W T F S S
              1 2 3 4 5 6 7
              8 9 10 11 12 13 14
              15 16 17 18 19 20 21
              22 23 24 25 26 27 28
              29 30          
              « May   Jul »

              Coming
              Soon

              About us

              The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

              In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

              Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

              The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


              Read More


              Collaborate Now

              Our Activities






              new









              Capacity Building
              Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
              bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
              Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
              to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
              Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
              Technical Support
              The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
              (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
              urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
              international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
              planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
              Institutional Development
              Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
              Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
              management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
              capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
              inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
              create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

              Knowledge Exchange & Networking
              RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
              sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
              cities.
              Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
              opportunities
              for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
              Knowledge Creation and Documentation
              RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
              frameworks,
              tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
              cities.
              This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
              social
              aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
              to
              inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
              City Innovation Challenge
              Coming Soon

              Action Research
              The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
              Exposure Visits
              Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
              play
              a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
              the
              significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
              development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
              various aspects of river management.
              Outreach and Advocacy
              The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
              through
              various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
              which
              bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
              management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
              River-sensitive Development.

              Our Activities






              new














              Capacity Building
              Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
              bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
              Technical Support
              The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
              (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
              urban river management.
              Institutional Development
              Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
              Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
              management.
              Knowledge Exchange & Networking
              RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
              sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
              cities.
              Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
              opportunities
              for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
              Knowledge Creation and Documentation
              RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
              frameworks,
              tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
              cities.
              City Innovation Challenge
              Coming Soon
              Action Research
              The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
              between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
              and
              social perspectives.
              Exposure Visits
              Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
              play
              a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
              Outreach and Advocacy
              The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
              through
              various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
              which
              bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
              management.

              RCA JOURNEY









              The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

              Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

              The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

              Mar‘19

              The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

              “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

              Dec‘19


              Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

              The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

              The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

              Nov‘20


              Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

              The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
               
              The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

              Jun‘21


              Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

              The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

              RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

              Nov‘21


              URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

              The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

              The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

              Oct‘22

              10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
              262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
              d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

              DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

              DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

              The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

              Feb‘23

              pic1
              pic2
              pic3
              pic4
              pic5

              Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

              Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

              In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

              Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

              Sep‘23

              The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

              The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

              The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

              At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

              Dec‘23

              Rectangle 34624711
              Rectangle 34624712
              Rectangle 34624713







              Alliance Memeber Cities

              Himachal Pradesh



              1
              Poanta Sahib


              1
              Yamuna

              Uttar Pradesh



              24

              Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



              10
              Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

              Madhya Pradesh



              3
              Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


              3
              Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

              Maharashtra



              5
              Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


              6
              Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

              Bihar



              21
              Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


              9
              Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
              Jharkhand



              14
              Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


              8
              Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

              Odisha



              1
              Bhubaneswar


              2
              Kuakhai, Daya

              West Bengal



              31
              Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


              10
              Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

              Karnataka



              1
              Mangaluru


              2
              Netravati, Gurupura

              Tamil Nadu



              12
              Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


              14
              Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

              Uttarakhand



              14
              Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


              10
              Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

              Andra pradesh



              5
              Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


              5
              Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

              Rajasthan



              3
              Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


              3
              Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

              Arunachal Pradesh



              1
              Itanagar


              1
              Dikrong

              Gujrat



              2
              Surat, Vadodara


              2
              Tapti, Vishwamitri

              Kerela



              1
              Thiruvananthapuram


              2
              Karamana, Killi

              Ladakh



              1
              Leh


              1
              Indus

              Telangana



              1
              Hyderabad


              1
              Musi

              Assam



              1
              Guwahati


              1
              Brahmaputra

              Tripura



              1
              Agartala


              1
              Haora

              Mizoram



              1
              Aizawl


              1
              Tlawng


              Please click on a state to know more

              Get in touch or visit us

              Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
              India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

              (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

              call

               urvers@niua.org









                Download RCA Newsletter


                View all newsletters





                (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

                 urvers@niua.org


                Facebook


                X-twitter


                Youtube


                Linkedin


                Instagram

                Useful Link

                Activity Calender

                RCA Data Wall

                DHARA 2025

                City Corner

                Resources

                Gallery

                Reach out to us

                © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

                Finding a casino online canada with instant e-wallet payouts is easier than ever now.

                пинко казио
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                Government of India

                Skip to Main Content


                -A


                A


                A+



                Accessibility Options

                Government of India










                DHARA 2025






                DHARA 2024


                Welcome to

                River Cities
                Alliance

                Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


                Explore RCA


                June 2026
                M T W T F S S
                1 2 3 4 5 6 7
                8 9 10 11 12 13 14
                15 16 17 18 19 20 21
                22 23 24 25 26 27 28
                29 30          
                « May   Jul »

                Coming
                Soon

                About us

                The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

                In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

                Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

                The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


                Read More


                Collaborate Now

                Our Activities






                new









                Capacity Building
                Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
                to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
                Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
                Technical Support
                The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
                international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
                planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
                Institutional Development
                Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
                capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
                inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
                create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

                Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                cities.
                Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                opportunities
                for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
                frameworks,
                tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                cities.
                This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
                social
                aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
                to
                inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
                City Innovation Challenge
                Coming Soon

                Action Research
                The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
                Exposure Visits
                Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                play
                a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
                the
                significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
                development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
                various aspects of river management.
                Outreach and Advocacy
                The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                through
                various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                which
                bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
                River-sensitive Development.

                Our Activities






                new














                Capacity Building
                Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                Technical Support
                The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                urban river management.
                Institutional Development
                Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                management.
                Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                cities.
                Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                opportunities
                for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
                frameworks,
                tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                cities.
                City Innovation Challenge
                Coming Soon
                Action Research
                The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
                between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
                and
                social perspectives.
                Exposure Visits
                Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                play
                a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
                Outreach and Advocacy
                The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                through
                various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                which
                bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                management.

                RCA JOURNEY









                The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

                Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

                The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

                Mar‘19

                The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

                “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

                Dec‘19


                Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

                The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

                The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

                Nov‘20


                Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

                The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
                 
                The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

                Jun‘21


                Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

                The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

                RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

                Nov‘21


                URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

                The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

                The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

                Oct‘22

                10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
                262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
                d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

                DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

                DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

                The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

                Feb‘23

                pic1
                pic2
                pic3
                pic4
                pic5

                Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

                Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

                Sep‘23

                The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

                At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

                Dec‘23

                Rectangle 34624711
                Rectangle 34624712
                Rectangle 34624713







                Alliance Memeber Cities

                Himachal Pradesh



                1
                Poanta Sahib


                1
                Yamuna

                Uttar Pradesh



                24

                Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



                10
                Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

                Madhya Pradesh



                3
                Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


                3
                Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

                Maharashtra



                5
                Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


                6
                Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

                Bihar



                21
                Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


                9
                Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
                Jharkhand



                14
                Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


                8
                Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

                Odisha



                1
                Bhubaneswar


                2
                Kuakhai, Daya

                West Bengal



                31
                Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


                10
                Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

                Karnataka



                1
                Mangaluru


                2
                Netravati, Gurupura

                Tamil Nadu



                12
                Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


                14
                Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

                Uttarakhand



                14
                Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


                10
                Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

                Andra pradesh



                5
                Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


                5
                Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

                Rajasthan



                3
                Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


                3
                Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

                Arunachal Pradesh



                1
                Itanagar


                1
                Dikrong

                Gujrat



                2
                Surat, Vadodara


                2
                Tapti, Vishwamitri

                Kerela



                1
                Thiruvananthapuram


                2
                Karamana, Killi

                Ladakh



                1
                Leh


                1
                Indus

                Telangana



                1
                Hyderabad


                1
                Musi

                Assam



                1
                Guwahati


                1
                Brahmaputra

                Tripura



                1
                Agartala


                1
                Haora

                Mizoram



                1
                Aizawl


                1
                Tlawng


                Please click on a state to know more

                Get in touch or visit us

                Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
                India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

                (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

                call

                 urvers@niua.org









                  Download RCA Newsletter


                  View all newsletters





                  (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

                   urvers@niua.org


                  Facebook


                  X-twitter


                  Youtube


                  Linkedin


                  Instagram

                  Useful Link

                  Activity Calender

                  RCA Data Wall

                  DHARA 2025

                  City Corner

                  Resources

                  Gallery

                  Reach out to us

                  © 2022 – Copyright NIUA. All rights reserved.®2025

                  Government of India

                  Skip to Main Content


                  -A


                  A


                  A+



                  Accessibility Options

                  Government of India










                  DHARA 2025






                  DHARA 2024


                  Welcome to

                  River Cities
                  Alliance

                  Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


                  Explore RCA


                  June 2026
                  M T W T F S S
                  1 2 3 4 5 6 7
                  8 9 10 11 12 13 14
                  15 16 17 18 19 20 21
                  22 23 24 25 26 27 28
                  29 30          
                  « May   Jul »

                  Coming
                  Soon

                  About us

                  The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

                  In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

                  Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

                  The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


                  Read More


                  Collaborate Now

                  Our Activities






                  new









                  Capacity Building
                  Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                  bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                  Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
                  to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
                  Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
                  Technical Support
                  The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                  (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                  urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
                  international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
                  planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
                  Institutional Development
                  Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                  Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                  management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
                  capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
                  inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
                  create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

                  Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                  RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                  sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                  cities.
                  Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                  opportunities
                  for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                  Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                  RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
                  frameworks,
                  tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                  cities.
                  This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
                  social
                  aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
                  to
                  inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
                  City Innovation Challenge
                  Coming Soon

                  Action Research
                  The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
                  Exposure Visits
                  Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                  play
                  a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
                  the
                  significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
                  development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
                  various aspects of river management.
                  Outreach and Advocacy
                  The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                  through
                  various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                  which
                  bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                  management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
                  River-sensitive Development.

                  Our Activities






                  new














                  Capacity Building
                  Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                  bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                  Technical Support
                  The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                  (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                  urban river management.
                  Institutional Development
                  Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                  Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                  management.
                  Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                  RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                  sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                  cities.
                  Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                  opportunities
                  for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                  Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                  RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
                  frameworks,
                  tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                  cities.
                  City Innovation Challenge
                  Coming Soon
                  Action Research
                  The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
                  between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
                  and
                  social perspectives.
                  Exposure Visits
                  Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                  play
                  a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
                  Outreach and Advocacy
                  The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                  through
                  various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                  which
                  bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                  management.

                  RCA JOURNEY









                  The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

                  Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

                  The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

                  Mar‘19

                  The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

                  “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

                  Dec‘19


                  Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

                  The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

                  The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

                  Nov‘20


                  Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

                  The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
                   
                  The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

                  Jun‘21


                  Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

                  The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

                  RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

                  Nov‘21


                  URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

                  The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

                  The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

                  Oct‘22

                  10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
                  262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
                  d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

                  DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

                  DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

                  The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

                  Feb‘23

                  pic1
                  pic2
                  pic3
                  pic4
                  pic5

                  Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                  Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                  In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

                  Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

                  Sep‘23

                  The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                  The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                  The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

                  At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

                  Dec‘23

                  Rectangle 34624711
                  Rectangle 34624712
                  Rectangle 34624713







                  Alliance Memeber Cities

                  Himachal Pradesh



                  1
                  Poanta Sahib


                  1
                  Yamuna

                  Uttar Pradesh



                  24

                  Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



                  10
                  Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

                  Madhya Pradesh



                  3
                  Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


                  3
                  Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

                  Maharashtra



                  5
                  Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


                  6
                  Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

                  Bihar



                  21
                  Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


                  9
                  Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
                  Jharkhand



                  14
                  Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


                  8
                  Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

                  Odisha



                  1
                  Bhubaneswar


                  2
                  Kuakhai, Daya

                  West Bengal



                  31
                  Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


                  10
                  Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

                  Karnataka



                  1
                  Mangaluru


                  2
                  Netravati, Gurupura

                  Tamil Nadu



                  12
                  Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


                  14
                  Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

                  Uttarakhand



                  14
                  Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


                  10
                  Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

                  Andra pradesh



                  5
                  Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


                  5
                  Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

                  Rajasthan



                  3
                  Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


                  3
                  Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

                  Arunachal Pradesh



                  1
                  Itanagar


                  1
                  Dikrong

                  Gujrat



                  2
                  Surat, Vadodara


                  2
                  Tapti, Vishwamitri

                  Kerela



                  1
                  Thiruvananthapuram


                  2
                  Karamana, Killi

                  Ladakh



                  1
                  Leh


                  1
                  Indus

                  Telangana



                  1
                  Hyderabad


                  1
                  Musi

                  Assam



                  1
                  Guwahati


                  1
                  Brahmaputra

                  Tripura



                  1
                  Agartala


                  1
                  Haora

                  Mizoram



                  1
                  Aizawl


                  1
                  Tlawng


                  Please click on a state to know more

                  Get in touch or visit us

                  Water and Environment vertical, National Institute of Urban Affairs, 1st Floor, Core 4B,
                  India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003,

                  (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

                  call

                   urvers@niua.org









                    Download RCA Newsletter


                    View all newsletters





                    (+91-11) 24643284/ 24617517 (ext. 214)

                     urvers@niua.org


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                    DHARA 2025






                    DHARA 2024


                    Welcome to

                    River Cities
                    Alliance

                    Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Development


                    Explore RCA


                    June 2026
                    M T W T F S S
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                    Coming
                    Soon

                    About us

                    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) has been conceptualized to help river cities in India maintain this symbiotic relationship with their rivers. Launched in November 2021 with 30 river cities, the RCA has now expanded to 145+ cities.

                    In 2019, the Honorable Prime Minister highlighted the importance of cities along rivers taking responsibility for their rejuvenation. This led to the formation of the River Cities Alliance (RCA) in November 2021, initially with 30 river cities, now expanding to 142+ cities. Urban areas in India play a significant role in river degradation, making managing urban rivers an emerging paradigm.

                    Rivers are among the most productive natural ecosystems, providing various environmental, economic, and social benefits. Cities along the river banks or rivers flowing through them are distinctly placed to reap these benefits. For this, cities need to have a harmonious relationship with their rivers, where cities take care of rivers and in return, the rivers provide cities with manifold benefits.

                    The RCA is currently being managed by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.


                    Read More


                    Collaborate Now

                    Our Activities






                    new









                    Capacity Building
                    Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                    bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                    Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and certification courses, we aim
                    to enhance the competencies of city officials in areas such as Urban River
                    Management Plans (URMP), used water management, and reuse.
                    Technical Support
                    The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                    (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                    urban river management. This includes consulting services from national and
                    international experts on integrated urban water management, hydrology, urban
                    planning, solid waste management, biodiversity, and more.
                    Institutional Development
                    Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                    Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                    management. This initiative includes the development of governance frameworks,
                    capacity building of officials through certification modules, and fostering
                    inter-departmental coordination. By institutionalizing river management, we aim to
                    create resilient and well-governed urban river ecosystems.

                    Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                    RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                    sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                    cities.
                    Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                    opportunities
                    for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                    Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                    RCA’s knowledge creation efforts focus on developing
                    frameworks,
                    tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                    cities.
                    This work follows a systems approach to address the environmental, economic, and
                    social
                    aspects of river management. RCA also documents best practices in different cities
                    to
                    inform the planning of similar initiatives in other cities.
                    City Innovation Challenge
                    Coming Soon

                    Action Research
                    The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic, and social perspectives. The undertaken research picks up pertinent themes, such as assessment and management of riverine islands, waterbody diagnosis, eco-friendly riverfront development, and research projects by selected candidates under the Student Thesis Competition.
                    Exposure Visits
                    Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                    play
                    a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities. Recognising
                    the
                    significance of collaborative learning and sustainable urban river management
                    development, the RCA organises these visits to cities that have shown excellence in
                    various aspects of river management.
                    Outreach and Advocacy
                    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                    through
                    various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                    which
                    bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                    management. NIUA and NMCG also offer training programs on Urban River Management and
                    River-sensitive Development.

                    Our Activities






                    new














                    Capacity Building
                    Our Capacity Building programs are designed to equip urban local
                    bodies (ULBs) with the necessary skills and knowledge for managing urban rivers.
                    Technical Support
                    The Technical Support initiative under the River Cities Alliance
                    (RCA) focuses on providing on-demand sector-specific expertise to member cities for
                    urban river management.
                    Institutional Development
                    Institutional Development within RCA involves creating dedicated
                    Urban River Cells/Units within ULBs, ensuring a focused approach towards urban river
                    management.
                    Knowledge Exchange & Networking
                    RCA’s Knowledge Exchange and Networking platform facilitates the
                    sharing of best practices, experiences, and innovative solutions among member
                    cities.
                    Through annual summits, regional meetings, and exposure visits, we create
                    opportunities
                    for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
                    Knowledge Creation and Documentation
                    RCA’s knowledge creation efforts are focused on developing
                    frameworks,
                    tools, toolkits, advisories, and documentation for river-sensitive planning in
                    cities.
                    City Innovation Challenge
                    Coming Soon
                    Action Research
                    The action research within RCA focuses on delving into the linkage
                    between basin-wide risks and city-level initiatives from environmental, economic,
                    and
                    social perspectives.
                    Exposure Visits
                    Exposure visits, facilitated by the River Cities Alliance (RCA),
                    play
                    a crucial role in promoting peer-to-peer learning among member cities.
                    Outreach and Advocacy
                    The River Cities Alliance (RCA) conducts outreach and advocacy
                    through
                    various initiatives. This includes hosting regional and annual summits like DHARA,
                    which
                    bring together stakeholders to discuss important issues regarding urban river
                    management.

                    RCA JOURNEY









                    The NMCG-NIUA Collaboration begins 

                    Objective: To foster sustainable urban development that judiciously utilizes vital natural riverine resources.

                    The Centre for River Sensitive Cities was established to propel the agenda for river-sensitive urban development in India

                    Mar‘19

                    The Honorable Prime Minister ushers in a renewed focus on river health: 

                    “There is a need for new thinking for ‘River Cities’. There is a need for the residents of these cities to ask, ‘What can we do for the rivers? ‘There is a need for new river-centric thinking in planning for cities on the banks of rivers. The river health needs to be mainstreamed into the urban planning process by developing Urban River Management Plans. Cities should be responsible for rejuvenating their rivers.

                    Dec‘19


                    Launch of the Urban River Management Plan (URMP) Framework  

                    The URMP is a pioneering framework designed to focus on river-centric urban management. 

                    The plan adopts a holistic approach and aligns with broader goals of economic vitality, social equity, and environmental sustainability 

                    Nov‘20


                    Release of Strategic Guidelines on Making River-sensitive Master Plans (RSMP) 

                    The guidelines shift from fragmented approaches to a comprehensive, city-specific strategy to enhance river health and maintain rejuvenated river stretches efficiently. 
                     
                    The RSMP integrates diverse river components, ecosystems, and services, balancing Integrated River Basin Management with Integrated Urban Water Management 

                    Jun‘21


                    Launch of The River Cities Alliance (RCA) 

                    The River Cities Alliance (RCA), established as a platform for cities to exchange knowledge and learn from one another, fostering progressive action in river management. 

                    RCA offers cities a unique opportunity to receive dedicated technical support and guidance from the NMCG, NIUA, and other partners to implement river-sensitive development initiatives.

                    Nov‘21


                    URMPs for Kanpur, Aurangabad and Ayodhya unveiled 

                    The URMPs for the 3 cities were developed in alignment with the framework established by NMCG and NIUA, with support from city leaders, stakeholders, and sector experts 

                    The proposed interventions treat rivers as valuable city assets, combining on-the-ground projects with strategic planning and

                    Oct‘22

                    10e1ec10f77ada5a637a4d66e7b1a4e9
                    262f329b479a9023d6a045ffd87db6fa
                    d3d3ad34b1958758b9572f4fb6910d38

                    DHARA (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers) 2023 in Pune 

                    DHARA 2023, an annual conference was convened in Pune, Maharashtra to enable member cities to engage in discussions and develop potential learning solutions for urban river management 

                    The event featured participation from Central and State Government dignitaries, Commissioners, think tanks, NGOs, citizens, students, young leaders, the private sector, funding agencies, and media representatives. 

                    Feb‘23

                    pic1
                    pic2
                    pic3
                    pic4
                    pic5

                    Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                    Announcement of preparation of URMPS for 60 cities

                    In a move towards dynamic river action, the NMCG-World Bank-assisted project titled “Preparation of Urban River Management Plan for 60 Ganga Basin Cities” kickstarts  

                    Under the project, river cities from the Ganga Basin spanning across five states of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand will develop their river management plans.

                    Sep‘23

                    The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                    The River Cities Alliance goes Global 

                    The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the  National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, was launched at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

                    At GRCA, a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) was signed between the India-led River Cities Alliance and the USA-led Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI).

                    Dec‘23

                    Rectangle 34624711
                    Rectangle 34624712
                    Rectangle 34624713







                    Alliance Memeber Cities

                    Himachal Pradesh



                    1
                    Poanta Sahib


                    1
                    Yamuna

                    Uttar Pradesh



                    24

                    Varanasi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Mirzapur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Bijnor, Moradabad, Agra, Bareilly, Etawah, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur, Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Jhansi, Ayodhya, Pilibhit, Budaun, Rampur, Hardoi



                    10
                    Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati ,Ramganga, Hindon, Rapti ,Gomti, Betwa, Sarayu, Kosi

                    Madhya Pradesh



                    3
                    Gwalior, Ujjain, Jabalpur


                    3
                    Chambal, Shipra, Narmada

                    Maharashtra



                    5
                    Pune, Aurangabad, Nashik ,Nanded, PimpriChinchwad


                    6
                    Mula, Mutha, Kham, Godavari, Godavari, Pavana

                    Bihar



                    21
                    Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Munger ,Ara, Bettiah, Chapra, Darbhanga, Jamalpur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Katihar, Purnia, BiharSharif, Samastipur, Siwan, Hajipur, Supaul, Kishanganj, Araia


                    9
                    Ganga, Gandak, Kamala, Burhi, Phalgu, Koshi, Panchane, Daha, Mahananda
                    Jharkhand



                    14
                    Sahibganj, Rajmahal, Chas, Jamshedpur, Deoghar, Mango, Ranchi, Giridih, Adityapur, Medininagar, Dhanbad, Jugsalai, Chirkunda, Phusro


                    8
                    Ganga, Subarnarekha, Kharkai, Ajay, Usri, Koel, Barakar, Damodar

                    Odisha



                    1
                    Bhubaneswar


                    2
                    Kuakhai, Daya

                    West Bengal



                    31
                    Bidhannagar, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Asansol, Durgapur, Nabadwip, Kalyani, Bongaon, Kanchrapara, Naihati, Bhatpara, Panihati, Madhyamgram, Kamarhati, Baranagar, DumDum, Basirhat, Chandannagar, Uttarpara, Kotrung, Bally, Midnapore, Berhampore, HooglyChinchurah, Howrah ,Jangipur, Maheshtala, Barddhaman, Haldia, Balurghat, Uluberia, Panskura, Coochbehar


                    10
                    Damodar, Bhagirathi, Jalangi, Ichamati, Kangsabati, Ganges ,Haldi, Atreyee, Rupnarayan, Torsa

                    Karnataka



                    1
                    Mangaluru


                    2
                    Netravati, Gurupura

                    Tamil Nadu



                    12
                    Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Thiruchirappalli, Salem, Vellore, Tirunelveli, Tiruppur, Thanjavur, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam


                    14
                    Cooum, Adyar, Noyyal, Vaigai, Kaveri, Thirumanimuthar, Palar, Thamirabarani, Noyyal, Kaveri, Gadilam, Pennaiyar, Palar ,Kaveri

                    Uttarakhand



                    14
                    Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Kashipur, Nainital, Haldwani, Uttarkashi, Selaqui, Vikasnagar, Muni-Ki-Reti, Kotdwar, Ramnagar, Tehri


                    10
                    Tons, Ganga, Alaknanda, Dhela, Gaula, Bhagirathi, Yamuna ,Khoh, Kosi, Bhagirathi

                    Andra pradesh



                    5
                    Vijayawada, Rajamahendravaram, Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Nellore


                    5
                    Krishna, Godavari, Tungabhadra, Gosthani, Penna

                    Rajasthan



                    3
                    Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jhalawar


                    3
                    Ahar, Luni, Kali Sindh

                    Arunachal Pradesh



                    1
                    Itanagar


                    1
                    Dikrong

                    Gujrat



                    2
                    Surat, Vadodara


                    2
                    Tapti, Vishwamitri

                    Kerela



                    1
                    Thiruvananthapuram


                    2
                    Karamana, Killi

                    Ladakh



                    1
                    Leh


                    1
                    Indus

                    Telangana



                    1
                    Hyderabad


                    1
                    Musi

                    Assam



                    1
                    Guwahati


                    1
                    Brahmaputra

                    Tripura



                    1
                    Agartala


                    1
                    Haora

                    Mizoram



                    1
                    Aizawl


                    1
                    Tlawng