Urbanization in India is increasing rapidly and is expected to exceed 50% by 2050.  Urbanization involves influx of migrant population and majority of this happens to be the poor population.  The first impact of urbanization is felt in housing sector and people being poor tend to device their own ways of providing shelter and housing culminating in slums.  The slums provide basic need of shelter but all other essential requirements are relegated to the background.  Sanitation and health & hygiene are most adversely affected.  The slums lack sanitation facilities and inadequate sanitation manifests in other ill effects like overflowing drains, pools of stagnant used water, people defecating in open or roadside, mosquito breeding, flies etc.  These lead to affect the health and hygiene and such picture also put a unsightly spot on the urban landscape of the developing city besides affecting environment also. 

To address such issues the MMRDA came up with the concept of “Nirmal MMRDA Abhiyan” on the lines of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan”.  It has identified need of 25000 seats of community toilets to fill in the deficiency in the sanitation facilities in slums in the entire MMR except Brihan Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.  Major areas covered are Thane, Mira Bhyander, Kalyan-Dombivali, Vasai, Virar, Bhivandi, Ulhasnagar, Panvel etc. 

Through a public procurement process “Yuvak Pratishthan” has been entrusted the responsibility of providing 9,900 toilets in next three years in 14 cities. 

The concept of providing sanitation facilities is entirely participatory in nature which involves the beneficiary community and thus ensuring sustainability.  The concept is implemented through NGO (Yuvak Pratishthan) with the help of local Community Based Organization (CBO) and the sanitation facilities are provided to meet the exact needs of the community.  There is opportunity for providing innovative means of sanitation which can lead to upgraded facilities like self contained ones in individual households.  The funding is done by MMRDA through the ULB.  The focus is on building durable and long lasting facilities with guarantee of proper operation and maintenance through self financing for the Operation & Maintenance.

Thanking you, 

Dr. Medha Somaiya

General Secretary