“Profiling “Informal City” of Delhi”, written by Kishore Kumar Singh and Shikha Shuklain in 2005 and published by WaterAid India and Delhi Slum Dwellers Federation, to assess the urban context and provide a framework for long-term urban programmes and projects. It provides, in one compact volume, the features of urban settlements in Delhi, socio-economic trends at macro level and the administrative and policy issues. It may be pointed out that WaterAid India works on limited areas like drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion. However, since the access of these basic services is determined by the living conditions and livelihoods of the urban poor, WaterAid India has taken a larger macro perspective in addressing its core concerns. The second part of the study is focused on select wards of Delhi, examining specifically the status of water and sanitation in poor wards and low income peripheral settlements.

The study explores the scope and rationale for programmatic intervention as well as a policy framework for adequate water and sanitation services in low income urban and peri-urban settlements of Delhi, further analyses policies, institutions and programmes impacting the urban poor of Delhi in general, and those living in two peripheral wards of the city, in particular.

Also analyse the nature and extent of gaps in coverage and quality of basic amenities and services (water and sanitation) for urban poor communities in Delhi. Through an in-depth study of eight informal settlements including JJ clusters, unauthorized colonies, resettlement colonies and urban villages located in two wards of Delhi, namely, Bhalaswa and Badli. The study record the response from various stakeholders (Government, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and communities) in ensuring better access and quality of basic amenities and facilities, as well as environmental risks and hazards resulting from poor environmental sanitation.  It identifies issues related to access and quality of basic services and facilities, disaggregated by gender, age, social structure, etc, in the communities.

Lastly,  it record the response from various stakeholders (Government, NGOs, CBOs, private sector and communities) in ensuring better access to, and quality of basic amenities and facilities, as well as assess the willingness and ability of the local communities to participate in the development process of ensuring environmental sanitation for their communities.

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