CAG Undertakes Nationwide Audit of 101 Cities on Urban Living Standards

Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, K Sanjay Murthy, on Thursday announced that a large-scale special audit is currently underway across 101 cities in the country to assess the “ease of living” from the perspective of citizens. The initiative aims to evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of urban infrastructure and public services that directly impact daily life in cities. The audit is expected to examine several important aspects, including transportation systems, sanitation, water supply, housing facilities, traffic management, public healthcare, digital services, environmental conditions, and overall civic administration.

The assessment is designed to identify gaps in urban governance and determine how efficiently government schemes and municipal services are being implemented for residents. By focusing on citizen experience and public satisfaction, the audit seeks to provide recommendations for improving urban planning, service delivery, and the overall quality of life in rapidly growing cities across India. The findings are also expected to support policymakers and local authorities in developing more citizen-centric and sustainable urban infrastructure frameworks.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 5th BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders’ Summit, Murthy further stated that the CAG is simultaneously conducting audits related to multi-modal transportation systems and logistics connectivity, particularly focusing on first-mile and last-mile transport efficiency. These audits aim to assess how effectively different modes of transport such as railways, roads, metros, ports, and public transit systems are integrated to facilitate smoother movement of passengers and goods. The review also includes an examination of logistics infrastructure, operational efficiency, and the role of urban mobility in economic growth and sustainable development.

Murthy highlighted that these audits are being carried out in collaboration with reputed national and international institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and the World Bank. The involvement of these institutions is intended to ensure a technology-driven, analytical, and data-oriented evaluation process that aligns with global best practices in public auditing and urban development assessment.

India is currently hosting the three-day BRICS SAI Leaders’ Summit under the central theme, “Ease of Living with a Focus on Urban Mobility.” The summit has brought together representatives and audit leaders from BRICS member nations to discuss issues related to governance, accountability, sustainable infrastructure development, and public sector efficiency. The event serves as an important platform for sharing best practices, innovative audit methodologies, and collaborative approaches to improving urban living standards and public service delivery.

The discussions at the summit are expected to focus on strengthening transparency and accountability in urban development projects, enhancing transport infrastructure, and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth models. The initiative also reflects India’s growing emphasis on improving urban governance and creating smarter, more livable cities through better planning, efficient public systems, and citizen-focused policy implementation.