National Urban Sanitation Policy: Ministry of Urban Development Government of India

The National Urban Sanitation Policy is one of the most significant initiative in urban sector and is result of the vision of Ministry of Urban Development and the National Inter-ministerial Task force on Universal sanitation in Urban Areas. The policy has been finalized after a very intensive consultative process with a vision to make all indian cities totally sanitized, healthy and liveable for all citizens especially the urban poor. The policy, for the first time, provides the necessary framework for states to approach urban sanitation in an integrated manner. The national policy attempts to address the institutional issues, the plight of the urban poor, the issue of manual scavengers, poor awareness on sanitation, lack of integrated planning technical knowhow and capacity – which causes most of our infrastructure to operate in a sub-optimal manner. It is estimated taht only 10 percent of our cities have a sewerage network and the existing treatment systems have a capacity to treat only 21 percent of the wastewater generated. This has serious implications in the context of contamination of our surface and ground water apart from impacting the health and environment of the people, especially children.

Content:

Background

Vision

Key Sanitation Policy Issues

Policy Goals

Implementation Support Strategy

Components of National Urban Sanitation Policy

Annexure-I. Draft Framework for Developing State Sanitation Strategies

Annexure-II. Draft Framework for a City Sanitation Plan

Annexure-III. National Award Scheme for Sanitation for Indian Cities