KP Singh, the chairman emeritus of DLF, received the ET Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025 and used the occasion to stress the urgent need for well-planned urbanization in India. He described the current state of urbanization as an 'utter mess', criticizing the outdated regulations and myopic planning that contribute to high pollution levels, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Singh pointed out that while India's GDP is set to become the third largest globally, the per capita income remains low, indicating a disparity in wealth distribution. He cited alarming air quality index (AQI) levels in Delhi, which are significantly higher than those in conflict zones, illustrating the dire consequences of poor urban planning. Singh called for a shift in focus from short-term solutions to long-term strategies, including the need to create new urban centers akin to 'Chicago-type' cities annually. He also criticized the government's Smart Cities initiative as a failure and urged for mass land acquisition to boost housing and infrastructure development. Singh concluded that without addressing urbanization, the aspirations of India's growing population would remain unfulfilled.