True. There is very little accountability. India’s municipal system really needs a structural reform. One of the biggest issues is how little connection there is between local governments and the people they serve. Apart from election season, there’s hardly any real communication. Most people feel like they have no say in how their neighbourhood is managed, and municipalities often seem slow or indifferent to everyday issues. Meanwhile, countries like Japan show us a different way. There, communities regularly take part in keeping their surroundings clean, managing waste, or even helping plan local improvements. And importantly, their efforts are appreciated. Local governments acknowledge and support these contributions, which builds a sense of pride and shared ownership. While it is true that Indian municipality has very little financial capabilities, they still have enough to build such relationships.But they simply don't have that intent.
In India, that kind of cooperation is still rare. It’s not because people don’t care, but because they often don’t feel seen or supported. When citizens do try to step up, they’re usually left to do it alone. If we want to build better cities, we need both stronger local bodies and a mindset that encourages teamwork between people and municipalities. Local governments should not just function better, they should feel closer, more open, and more human. But, what we have are some human shaped vote taking machine who shows up on election season.