Water supply and sanitation in urban areas: analysis of policies and case study on Delhi slums
Student name: Ms Prapti Verma
Guide: Ms Ranjana Ray Chaudhuri
Year of completion: 2015
Host Organisation: TERI University
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Ranjana Ray Chaudhuri
Abstract: Growing poverty and income inequality in urban areas have compounded the water and sanitation
problem, and many Indian Mega-Cities are facing large slum populations. The 2011 Indian Census
shows that one in six Indians lives in an urban slum. Open defecation rates are among the highest in
Indian cities. Delhi, too, has been subjected to similar conditions. This study focuses on the current
policy scenario in Delhi from both State and Central Government level. A timeline has been
developed which highlights the policy changes with regard to urban water supply and sanitation. For
many years the focus of these policies was limited to rural areas and urban areas were not given
attention. Policies focused on urban areas only after 2005 with the introduction of flagship
government programs. The situation of slums in Delhi is then compared to another metropolitan city
and suitable interventions are suggested. A pre-selected slum has been surveyed in context of access
to water supply and sanitation services. The slum was divided into three sections and specific
households were chosen for the survey. This slum faces precarious sanitation conditions, hence
based on the data from the respondents recommendation for betterment of the slum are given as part
of the conclusion. Water and sanitation services bring a host of benefits for community development.
They get girls back into school, women into employment, and improve health dignity, wellbeing and
independence.
Key Words: Delhi, Slums, Water supply, Sanitation, Urban, Policy
