Mumbai has faced a bureaucratic nightmare in terms of mitigation and solutions to sanitation problems. Indeed, there have been plenty of worthy attempts at tackling urban sanitation, but there are still shortcomings in development goals and improvements to everyday life.
This case study has unveiled the complexities associated with environmental problems that affect the global community down to the individual. What we can take away from this study is how to move forward in developing strategies, not only for Mumbai, but all urban environments that are faced with sanitation problems.
Here are a few examples of lessons to carry forward into the future:
- The need for a reliable and trustworthy government in the development of public facilities.
- State intervention to improve the quality of life for slum-dwellers has had mixed results. Slum rehabilitation project delays have hindered progress and many residents are skeptical the project will ever be completed (Shaikh, 2016). In fact, a lack of government trust from slum residents has been one of the biggest hurdles. Residents are reluctant to provide tenure details to officials as they fear eviction. This has caused a halt to the program while yet another rehabilitation plan is developed (Bennet, 2017).
- The need for community Involvement
- Although informal settlements are often on lands under the control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), BMC staff rarely clean or maintain toilet blocks (McFarlane, 2008 ). Cleaning and maintenance of facilities are arranged amongst the community with typical households contributing Rs.20-25 each per month for cleaning, water, and electricity (SPARC, 2014).
It is not enough to merely provide a facility, but leave expensive maintenance to the urban poor. This is often a problem with NGO’s as well. Intentions may be good, but they may actually cause more problems in the community.
Slum Rehabilitation Authority
- A government project to improve housing and public services in the informal settlements of Mumbai has been in the works since 1995
- The plan promises better road infrastructure, electricity, water, schools, medical centres, and community centres.
- Residents must prove they have occupied a structure within the slum since January 1, 2000 to be eligible for a free housing upgrade (SRA, 2017).
- Many residents fear eviction and are reluctant to provide information to government officials (Bennet, 2017).
- Temporary resettlement is offered to residents during construction (SRA, 2017) yet, between 2004-2005 about 90,000 huts were destroyed leaving 350,000 people homeless (McFarlane, 2008)
References:
Bennet, James. ABC News. (2017). Plan to rehouse Mumbai slum dwellers undone by lack of trust. [online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-23/plan-to-rehouse-mumbai-slum-dwellers-undone-by-by-lack-of-trust/8193822 [Accessed 4 Mar. 2017].
International Institute for Environment and Development. (2017). How India’s slum and pavement dwellers made sanitation affordable. [online] Available at: https://www.iied.org/how-indias-slum-pavement-dwellers-made-sanitation-affordable [Accessed 4 Mar. 2017].
McFarlane, C., (2008). Sanitation in Mumbai’s informal settlements: state, `slum’, and infrastructure. Environment and Planning, 40, 88-107.
Sparcindia.org. (2014). Sanitation. [online] Available at: http://www.sparcindia.org/sanitation.php [Accessed 4 Mar. 2017].
Sra.gov.in. (2017). S R A. [online] Available at: http://www.sra.gov.in/pgeDharaviUpcoming.aspx [Accessed 4 Mar. 2017].
Shaikh, A. (2016) Mumbai: Largest slum in Asia- Dharavi gets ready for a makeover. DNA – Diligent Media Corporation Ltd. India. 10 January 2016 <http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-mumbai-largest-slum-in-asia-dharavi-gets-ready-for-a-makeover-2164220>