Opinion | Rethinking Growth: The Case for a Green Viksit Bharat

When I was in school, development was always explained in numbers. Higher GDP, more industries, better infrastructure. It all sounded convincing at the time. Only later did I realise that development, if not thought through carefully, can quietly begin to work against us. You build faster roads but forget the trees that once held the soil together. You expand cities but overlook how they breathe. Somewhere between ambition and execution, balance is lost. That is where the idea of a Green Viksit Bharat becomes important. India today is not where it was two decades ago. We are growing, expanding and asserting ourselves globally. There is confidence, there is energy, and there is a clear intent to move forward. But at the same time, there is a parallel reality that cannot be ignored. Summers are getting harsher, rainfall patterns are no longer reliable, and pollution has become part of everyday conversation. These are not abstract environmental concerns. They are lived experiences. A farmer dealing with uncertain weather, a student walking through smog filled streets, a family struggling with water scarcity. Development that overlooks these realities is incomplete.

Green Viksit Bharat, in simple terms, is about correcting this imbalance. It is about ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of the very resources that sustain it. This does not mean slowing down. It means thinking ahead. It means building in a way that lasts. Over the years, there have been encouraging signs. India’s push towards renewable energy, especially solar, has been significant. Large scale projects and smaller rooftop initiatives both point in the same direction. The conversation around green hydrogen and electric mobility shows that the shift is not limited to one sector. There is a broader understanding that the future of energy has to be cleaner. But sustainability cannot be confined to energy alone. If anything, its real test lies in how it shapes everyday life. Take our cities for example. They are expanding rapidly, often without a clear sense of planning. Traffic congestion, waste mismanagement and poor air quality are becoming defining features. A green approach to urbanisation would look very different. It would prioritise public transport, ensure proper waste disposal, protect water bodies and create spaces that allow cities to breathe. These are not luxuries. They are basic requirements for a decent quality of life.

Agriculture presents a similar challenge. For millions of people, farming is not just an occupation but a way of life. Yet it is increasingly vulnerable. Soil health is declining, groundwater levels are falling, and climate uncertainty adds another layer of risk. A sustainable approach here would involve better irrigation practices, reduced dependence on chemicals and more awareness about crop choices. It is not about forcing change but about enabling it. Farmers need support that is practical and long term. This is where policy begins to matter in a very direct way. The Union Budget is not just a financial document. It sets the tone for what the country prioritises. If we are serious about Green Viksit Bharat, then sustainability has to be reflected clearly in Union Budget 2026. Not as a side note, but as a guiding principle. Investments in renewable energy must continue, but alongside that there has to be greater focus on storage and grid infrastructure. Clean energy without reliable distribution will always remain limited.

At the same time, climate adaptation needs more attention than it usually gets. Floods, droughts and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Responding after the damage is done is not enough. There has to be consistent investment in prevention. Water conservation, better drainage systems, and early warning mechanisms can make a real difference. These are not headline grabbing measures, but they are essential. Urban sustainability also needs structured support. Cities require funding for waste management, sewage treatment and pollution control. Simply announcing projects is not enough. There has to be accountability and measurable outcomes. Similarly, the idea of green finance should be expanded further. Encouraging investments in environmentally responsible projects, both from within the country and outside, can accelerate the transition without placing excessive burden on public finances.

What often gets missed in these discussions is the human side of sustainability. Environmental degradation does not affect everyone equally. Those with fewer resources tend to suffer more. A labourer working outdoors feels the impact of rising temperatures more than anyone else. A small farmer faces greater risk from unpredictable weather. Any serious attempt at sustainable development has to take this into account. Support for clean cooking energy, access to affordable renewable solutions and skill development for green jobs can ensure that the transition is inclusive. There is also a need to rethink how we define success. For a long time, growth has been measured in purely economic terms. While that remains important, it cannot be the only measure. Clean air, safe water and a stable climate are just as valuable. They may not always reflect immediately in economic data, but their absence is felt very quickly.

It is often argued that environmental responsibility slows down progress. That argument does not hold anymore. If anything, the opposite is true. Renewable energy creates employment, efficient systems reduce long term costs, and sustainable practices open up new areas of innovation. The choice is not between growth and sustainability. The real choice is between short term gains and long term stability. India also carries a certain responsibility on the global stage. While our historical contribution to emissions is relatively low, our future trajectory matters. The way we grow will influence how other developing countries approach the same challenge. A balanced approach that prioritises both development and environmental care can set an example that is practical and achievable. Green Viksit Bharat, then, is not about idealism. It is about realism. It is about recognising that the path we choose today will shape the conditions we live in tomorrow. The Union Budget 2026 has the potential to strengthen this direction by aligning financial priorities with environmental needs. Consistency in this approach, year after year, is what will make the difference.

In the end, development is not just about what we build, but also about what we choose to protect. A country that grows while preserving its natural balance does not have to correct itself later. It moves forward with stability. That is the idea of a truly developed India. Not just bigger, but better.

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