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CASE STUDIES

Title
IMPROVING SANITATION IN URBAN SLUMS THROUGH PROVISION OF INDIVIDUAL TOILETS, AHMEDABAD (GUJARAT)

Sector
Sanitation

Summary
In Ahmedabad, located in Gujarat, about 5 lakh people living in slums did not have toilet facilities. Thus open defecation was a major problem. The corporation introduced a scheme where 80% of the construction cost would be given to individual with income less than Rs.10,000 a year. 20% amount would be spent by the slum dweller in cash or kind. The corporation got a very good response and has increased the subsidy to 90% to do away with open defecation in the city thus improving the health and sanitation in slums.

Location
Ahmedabad the commercial capital of Gujarat is the largest city of the state and the seventh largest city in India. It is situated on the banks of river Sabarmati and is 35 km. away from Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat.

Situation
The city with a population of nearly 1.2 million people has about 1089 slum pockets and 1383 chawls. About 5 lakh people living in these settlements did not have toilet facilities. Open defecation was a major problem of health and sanitation.

Lead
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)

Strategy
The corporation introduced a scheme known as 80/20 scheme where 80% amount would be given by corporation and 20% by the slum dwellers with income less than Rs. 10,000 a year. A simple format was given as application. The site was inspected on receiving the application. If it was genuine and there was space for constructing a toilet without obstructing the minimum width of the road as per rules, work order was given. The applicant on getting a sanction had to construct his toilet and seek subsidy from the corporation.

Process
The corporation got a very good response and has now increased subsidy component to 90% to do away with the open defection in the city. This scheme became very popular and by now more than 43,000 toilets have been constructed in the slums and chawls preventing open defecation by more than 2 lakh people. This has also substantially improved health and sanitation in slums.

Financing
In the corporation's 80/20 scheme, 80% amount would be given for construction of individual toilets to a slum dweller with income less than Rs. 10,000 a year. 20% amount would be spent by the slum dweller in cash or kind or by way of labour.

Lessons
All the local bodies facing the problem of open defecation in the cities can replicate the initiative.

Contact
Ms. Manvita Baradi

Designation
Director Programs

Organisation
City Manager's Association
Address: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, West Zone
Usmanpura Cross Roads
City: Ahmedabad
State: Gujarat
Pin: 380013
Phone: 079-7551595, 755186
Fax: 91-79-7551163
Email: cmag@vsnl.com
Web: www.cmag-india.org