Comptroller and Auditor General Conducts Special Audit of 101 Cities to Assess Ease of Living

India Conducts Special Audit of 101 Cities to Assess Ease of Living

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India, K Sanjay Murthy, announced on Thursday that the country is conducting a special audit of 101 cities to assess ease of living from the citizen's perspective. This initiative is part of the 5th BRICS Supreme Audit Institutions (SAI) Leaders' Summit, which is being hosted by India under the theme of 'Ease of Living with a Focus on Urban Mobility'.

The summit, convened by the Office of the CAG during India's year of BRICS Chairmanship 2026, brings together 42 delegates, including Heads of SAIs from BRICS member countries, to deliberate on audit themes of shared relevance, exchange best practices, and strengthen public financial oversight. The event is a significant platform for India to share its experiences and learn from other BRICS nations, which represent over 3 billion people and some of the world's fastest-growing urban populations.

India's cities occupy just 3 per cent of the country's land, yet they contribute 60 per cent of the national GDP. By 2030, 70 per cent of all new jobs in India will be created in cities, emphasizing the importance of urban mobility. Murthy noted that urban mobility is where governance stops being abstract and starts being personal, with citizens conducting a daily referendum on their governments at the bus stop.

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The global congestion indices have risen from 20 per cent to 25 per cent as of 2025, costing each urban commuter between 100 and 180 hours of productive time every year. Despite the known solutions, the barrier to effective urban mobility is governance, with the CAG highlighting that the urban mobility fails not for want of roads or rails, but for want of systems that work together.

The SAI India is now offering value-added products like departmental appreciation notes, management letters, and study reports, beyond traditional audit reports. The special audit of 101 cities will assess ease of living from the citizen's perspective, across quality of life, access, sustainability, and perception.

The summit will conclude with the discussion and adoption of the BRICS SAI Work Plan 2027–28 and the Bengaluru Declaration, followed by closing remarks by the CAG of India. Presentations are scheduled from SAIs of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, and the UAE, along with experts in urban finance and mobility.

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