Mumbai Human Development Report 2009, (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai), 2009

Abstract

Book Notes 229Environment and Urbanization ASIA, 1, 2 (2010): [227][228][229] However, most critical factors for introducing these innovations are a healthy municipal revenue base and good urban governance. In this context, this book has examined the costs of key urban services and identified governance issues. It is based on rich field data from six cities. The book has estimated marginal costs of providing urban services in India. Then, it has estimated total expenditure required for ensuring a certain level of services and compared it with present level of expenditure. Finally, it has identified financial and institutional challenges in introducing urban reforms in the country.In response to urban problems, the government launched a reform-linked urban infrastructure investment project, Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The states and urban local governments accessing the JNNURM must complete a total of 22 reforms during the 7-year mission period. The book has described various reforms under JNNURM. It has also identified innovative management practices like municipal bonds, private sector participation and community participation in financing of services. Findings of the study strongly suggest that over and above the issue of finances, institutional and functional overlap of responsibilities are also responsible for poor delivery of the urban services. The book provides very important and useful insights into costs and governance issues of urban delivery systems in urban India. It is unfortunate that it did not adequately cover the issue of urban services for the poor.