Legal interventions in enhancing the delivery of public toilet infrastructure in Delhi
Student name: Mr Akshay Shandilya
Guide: Mr Amrithnath SB
Year of completion: 2017
Host Organisation: TERI University
Abstract: The study attempts to respond to two broad concerns in the sanitation infrastructure
framework at the local level in the city of Delhi. Firstly, how would the operation and
maintenance of the existing public toilet infrastructure be improved in the municipal areas of
Delhi? Secondly, how would municipal bonds improve the financial availability of public
toilet projects in those municipal areas? The author begins by laying the groundwork for the
right to sanitation in India and identifying the key actors relevant for the enforcement of this
right. Thereupon, it envisages a brief analysis of the urban governance structure in Delhi and
outlines the challenges that arise while implementing the duties related to water and
sanitation in the city. The study elaborates upon the two broad concerns highlighted above
and interprets the nuances of the dilemma at hand. It ends with identifying policy-like
pointers for operation and maintenance of public toilets and improving the financing of such
projects in future for responding to the emerging challenges to urban sanitation in the
municipal areas of Delhi.
Keywords: sanitation; infrastructure; Delhi; ULB; public toilet; O&M; municipal bond.
