UAE-Telangana Partnership for Net-Zero Bharat Future City Project

UAE-Telangana Partnership for Net-Zero Bharat Future City Project

Why in News? 

Recently, at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, the United Arab Emirates and Telangana agreed to collaborate on developing Bharat Future City to support Telangana’s vision for climate-friendly urban growth and economic expansion.

Highlights of the UAE‑Telangana Partnership

• At the WEF 2026 in Davos, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Telangana agreed to collaborate on the development of Bharat Future City, a significant international strategic partnership for sustainable urban development. 
• Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, met Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy proposed a joint task force of officials from both sides to fast‑track project implementation.
• The partnership aligns with Telangana’s long‑term “Telangana Rising 2047” strategy, which aims to transform the state into a USD 3 trillion economy by 2047. 
• Saudi industrial group Expertise expressed willingness to partner with Young India Skills University (YISU) to recruit and train approximately 5,000 skilled professionals annually for sectors including petrochemicals, power, steel, and water treatment.

What is Bharat Future City?

• About: Bharat Future City (BFC) is a flagship net‑zero urban development project being developed by the Government of Telangana as India’s first Net‑Zero Greenfield Smart City. This project is conceived under the state’s broader Telangana Rising 2047 vision to build a $3 trillion economy.

• Objectives: The primary objectives of Bharat Future City are to create a future‑ready, net‑zero urban ecosystem that supports Telangana’s long‑term economic goals while setting a benchmark in sustainable city planning. 

• It seeks to decongest Hyderabad’s core urban areas and develop a new centre for technology, industry, and innovation with dedicated zones for artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, green manufacturing, healthcare, education, and entertainment. 

• The city aims to attract domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI), generate large‑scale employment, and cultivate a skilled workforce aligned with future industries. 

• BFC is also designed to provide affordable, high‑quality living spaces, promote eco‑friendly transport systems, and ensure zero net greenhouse gas emissions.

• • Area: Bharat Future City is planned over a vast expanse of nearly 30,000 acres (approximately 121 square kilometres) strategically located in South Hyderabad near the Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar highways. It is part of a larger 765 sq km Future City region spanning 56 villages, reflecting a broad vision for phased urban expansion.

• Budget: The Bharat Future City project is a part of a broader ₹5.75 lakh crore+ investment pipeline committed during the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, where several MoUs were signed for key sectors within the BFC ecosystem.

• Involvement: The project lies within the Future City Development Authority (FCDA) jurisdiction, a statutory planning body constituted by the Telangana Government to regulate land use and sustainability standards across the project area. 

• It works in coordination with the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC), Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), and relevant state departments. 

• Global partnerships include engagement with UAE government agencies, international investors like Marubeni (Japan) and Sembcorp (Singapore).

Features of Bharat Future City

• Net‑Zero & Sustainable Urban Design: Bharat Future City is planned as India’s first Net‑Zero Smart City, running primarily on renewable energy, featuring zero‑discharge systems, rainwater harvesting, sponge parks, and urban forests to minimise emissions and conserve water, with 15,000 acres of reserved forest serving as the city’s “green lungs”.
• Integrated “Live, Learn, Work, Play” Framework: The city follows a holistic urban layout where residential areas, workplaces, schools, hospitals, parks, and shopping centres are integrated within close proximity, reducing commute times and enabling a walkable, human‑centric lifestyle. This design improves quality of life.
• Specialized Economic & Industrial Zones: The master plan includes multiple economic clusters such as AI & Tech Hub, Life Sciences Park, Electronics & EV manufacturing zones, Healthcare & Pharma clusters, and Green Industries sectors to drive job creation, innovation and attract investments across advanced industries.
• Advanced Mobility & Connectivity: The city is designed with robust multimodal connectivity, including an internal metro line, Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS), major road links like Radial Road No.1 (41.5 km) connecting to Outer Ring Road (ORR) and Regional Ring Road (RRR), and proximity to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, facilitating efficient movement of people and goods.
• Smart City Digital Infrastructure: Bharat Future City will feature digital governance tools, GIS‑based planning, real‑time monitoring systems, smart utilities, e‑waste processing, solid waste management, and advanced Training & Incubation Centres, positioning it as a digital‑first urban ecosystem.
• Water Security & Resilience: The city’s infrastructure prioritizes water recycling, zero liquid discharge (ZLD) facilities, and resilient water networks to ensure sustainability and reduce dependence on external sources. Innovative stormwater systems like sponge parks will help mitigate flooding.
• Green Energy & Cooling Innovation: Bharat Future City is adopting clean energy solutions, including solar power and district cooling systems (DCS), where chilled water circulated underground regulates building temperatures efficiently, cutting electricity consumption.

Significance of Bharat Future City

• Support to India’s Climate & Net‑Zero Goals: Bharat Future City is pivotal for India’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and net‑zero by 2070 aim, serving as a prototype for carbon‑neutral urbanization with zero‑emission planning. It fosters zero‑discharge water systems and sustainable waste management, directly aligning with SDG 11 (inclusive, safe, resilient cities) and SDG 13 (climate action).
• Strengthening National Urbanisation & Planning Standards: By exemplifying smart, sustainable, and digitally integrated infrastructure, Bharat Future City sets a new benchmark beyond the existing Smart Cities Mission for future greenfield cities in India. Its cluster‑based urban planning can be replicated nationwide to reduce urban stress and improve living standards. 
• Economic Growth & Global Competitiveness: The city’s specialised sectors, including AI, life sciences, healthcare, electronics, EV and green manufacturing are expected to catalyse job creation, boost GDP contributions, and attract foreign direct investment. This supports India’s aim to evolve as a global innovation & global manufacturing hub under initiatives like Make in India and Digital India.
• Knowledge Economy & Skill Development Ecosystem: Bharat Future City encourages creation of research and education hubs, dedicated campuses for top global universities, and skill‑centric programmes like AI City and Young India Skills University, helping nurture future‑ready talent in cutting‑edge domains, crucial for India’s long‑term innovation capabilities.