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CASE STUDIES

Title
CUTTACK URBAN SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (ORISSA)

Sector
Health,Integrated Area Development

Summary
Cuttack Urban Services Improvement Project (CUSIP) is being carried out in Cuttack, Orissa, with DFID'S Urban Poverty Group. The duration of this project is from 1994 to the end 2002. The main phase has been on since 1998. This project is being funded by the British Government's aid program and operates through a project management unit (PMU. Capital costs are funded through a grant and there is no cost recovery. The municipality is responsible for maintenance, while reticulated water supply is maintained by the State Public Health Engineering Department. The PMU has inter-sectoral teams with staff from engineering, community development and health and has close links with the municipality. In the preliminary phase, CBOs were the focus of consultation with the community regarding infrastructure and health-related interventions. A more participative process of community action planning has now been developed. CUSIP provides integrated infrastructure in slums: water, sanitation, paving, drainage, solid waste bins, street lighting and small community halls. There will also be some investment in city-wide infrastructure. The project has demonstrated the importance of determining consumer perceptions. User perceptions are linked to expectations, which are partly shaped at the planning stage.

Location
Cuttack is a city in Orissa state.

Situation
Earlier, Cuttack slums did not have proper sewerage, latrines or solid waste management.

Lead
DFID's Urban Poverty Group.

Strategy
In the preliminary phase (five slums), CBO's were the focus of consultation with the community regarding infrastructure and health-related interventions. A more participative process of community action planning has now been developed.

Process
Technical: For each slum, an outline budget was developed, based largely on government norms such as the number of users per standpost. There are a few kilometers of sewerage system in Cuttack which has recently been rehabilitated and is now functioning - some adjacent slums will be linked to this.
Community Contracting: Community contracts provided a mechanism for channeling development funds through the local community.
Capacity Building: CUSIP has provided a lot of informal technical support to groups undertaking community contracts.
Operation and Maintenance Experience: A detailed operation and maintenance strategy that involves municipality - community partnering is being developed, with municipal wards as the focal point.
Latrines: In Cuttack, the municipality operates and maintains 30 communal latrines and they are very effectively run due to the permanent presence of male and female cleaners. Shared latrines were developed in two areas which were working very well, and were being cleaned by the users.
Chatra Bazar: In Chatra Bazar the average family income is about Rs.1,000 per month. The Luthera World Service has worked here for several years and the community is highly motivated. The community hall and a small temple have proved to be focal points for many activities. Residents have also built a small 'community house' through their own efforts and have rented it out for Rs.70 per month. They have also hired a sweeper to clean their latrine daily.

Financing
CUSIP is funded by the British Government aid programme and operates through a project management unit (PMU) in Cuttack. Capital costs are funded through a grant and there is no cost recovery. The municipality is responsible for maintenance, while reticulate water supply is maintained by the State Public Health Engineering Department.

Lessons
1. The project has demonstrated the importance of determining consumer perceptions. The planning process and subsequent monitoring and evaluation should address overall service provision, not just construction.
2. User perceptions are linked to expectations, which are partly shaped by discussions with project staff at the planning stage.
3. Latrine use needs to be promoted actively as an alternative to traditional open defecation, especially by children.
4. Although private contracting for the maintenance of public toilets failed here, but the reasons need to be understood. However, with good contract management, such an approach may be suitable in other cases.
5. Community groups pay directly for some services like hiring a sweeper.

Contact


Designation


Organisation
UNDP- World Bank Water and Sanitation Program- South Asia
Address: 55 Lodhi Estate

City: New Delhi
State: Delhi
Pin: 110003
Phone: 011-4690488, 4690489
Fax: 011-4628250
Email: wspsa@worldbank.org
Web: www.wsp.org