“Sustaining the Sanitation Revolution-India Country Paper” has been presented and published by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) for SACOSAN-III in 16-21 November 2008, paper is divided into two parts – rural and urban sanitation however, in both rural and urban spheres, it highlights the promising initiatives are underway to tackle the sanitation challenge in India.

Apart from Introduction, this paper comprises two additional parts. Part 2 provides an overview of the rural sanitation scenario in India. It traces the evolution of the rural sanitation sector, from ad hoc initiatives in the initial Five Year Plans after independence to the sector reforms embodied in the launch of the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) from 1999 onwards. It analyzes strategies adopted and achievements related to upscaling and sustainability of the rural sanitation program. It also touches on the role of partnerships and civil society and their contribution to the success of rural sanitation initiatives. Part 2 concludes with a critical reflection on the challenges and emerging issues confronting the TSC today.

Part 3 provides an overview of urban sanitation in India. It begins with a look at existing urban sanitation coverage in India. Building on earlier initiatives, the Government of India has formally approved the National Urban Sanitation Policy in 2008 which envisions the creation of totally sanitized cities and towns. In addition, the policy promotes community and local government participation in the planning, implementation and management of urban sanitation services. This section concludes with an analysis of three successful initiatives in urban sanitation from across India - public toilet blocks built under the Build-Operate-Transfer model in Delhi, participatory and community-led approach operationalized in the Mumbai Slum Sanitation Program and the integration of community participation, local government initiative and private sector participation incorporated in the Alandur sewerage project, Chennai.

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