The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), a gigantic scheme for urban development. The aim is to improve the basic services in over 60 cities with a population of more than one million, all State capitals and select towns of religious historical and tourist importance. The scheme will involve a combined investment of Rs 1 lakh crore by the Centre, the State governments and urban local bodies over the next seven years...editorial