Rural Development, Water and Sanitation

The Ghogha Project in Gujarat developed and implemented methodologies for a new demand- responsive approach for rural water supply and sanitation. HPCE was invited to replicate in the rural areas its previous experiences of Slum Networking. The transition is natural as there are many similarities between the poor urban areas and the rural communities in terms of level of infrastructure, settlement patterns and community structures.

In consultation with the village communities and the NGOs, HPCE provided prototype solutions of physical infrastructure for rural conditions. Masterplans were prepared for 3 villages of roads and pavings, water supply and underground sewerage networks for individual connections, storm drainage and rootzone sewerage treatment specific to each village. A broad delivery strategy was developed by HPCE for active community participation in design, implementation, maintenance and the capital costs through the framework of local governance.

Subsequent to earthquake reconstruction of housing in the villages of Vavania (650 families) and New Navlakhi (250 families), it was decided to follow through with comprehensive infrastructure development of the two villages. The poor distribution of water, inadequate sanitation and absence of roads were severely limiting the productivity and the quality of life of the villagers.

This is a partnership venture set up between the village community, UNDP and the leading corporate house of India, with CEE acting as a facilitator. As capital partners, the communities have played an active role in the planning and implementation. They have opted for house to house water and sanitation, roads up to the doorstep and extensive storm drainage. The costs have been brought down by topography sensitive designs. Natural root-zone treatment is proposed for sewage treatment and recharging of water. The work is at present under implementation in stages as the community and the other partners mobilise resources.

The project involves development of full and integrated physical infrastructure of several villages in Andhra Pradesh through a self sustaining capital partnership between the community, government and business. The work has started in three villages of Tadinada, Juwallapalam and Prathalameraka (total 5000 people) with the objective of upscaling to another 150 villages in the coming years. For this replication, finiancing arrangements are being negotiated with formal sector banks (such as ICICI) for the community’s share of costs.

This the most challenging and pioneering intervention conceived by HPCE to cross over from its work in urban slums to reach the larger rural population, using water and environmental sanitation coupled with self funding partnerships to alleviate poverty.