This report in Hindi by Rehmat and Makarand Purohit of Manthan Adhyayan Kendra deals with the water sector reforms, in particular with the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) scheme being undertaken in Badwani, Madhya Pradesh.

In Madhya Pradesh, an amount of 990 crores is sanctioned for works to be done in 47 towns. While UIDSSMT encourages public private partnership, the Government of Madhya Pradesh has recently as a part of the Chief Ministers Drinking Water Supply Scheme, made it mandatory for towns with a population exceeding one lakh. 

This study of the water supply project in Badwani being implemented through public private partnership (PPP) mode provides insights on the impacts of the project and the conflicts that have been appearing in its wake.

Water supply infrastructure in Badwani (Image courtesy: Manthan)

It discusses the present situation in the town in terms of availability of water, the service delivery through new water supply projects and the emerging conflicts around water in the region. The larger economic context, where privatisation and PPPs are being promoted in both infrastructure and service delivery projects to push the national growth rate are critiqued.

The report is of the view that on financial, operational, technical and governance counts, PPP projects in water sector do not provide answers to the varied problems of the sector.

Download the report in Hindi below -