COSTS AND CHALLENGES OF LOCAL URBAN SERVICES : EVIDENCE FROM INDIA'S CITIES BY KALA SEETHARAM SRIDHAR & OM PRAKASH MATHUR [HARDCOVER]

With the world population expected to become two-thirds urban by 2025, cities in many developing countries are reeling under the negative impact of poor public services. This book analyses the provision of urban infrastructure by examining the costs and prices of key urban services in India. In the first study of this kind in India, Costs and Challenges of Local Urban Services examines the extent to which pricing structures of urban services conform to the marginal cost pricing principles. Using field data from six cities-Chandigarh, Lucknow, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur, and Surat-the essays present a comparative perspective on diverse fiscal and institutional arrangements. Two detailed case studies-Ludhiana (Punjab) and Rajkot (Gujarat-identify various means to improve urban services. The book addresses three key questions: First, what are the marginal costs of water supply in India's cities? Second, with respect to services such as solid waste management, sanitation, sewerage, street lighting, and roads, what is the total expenditure required for ensuring a certain benchmark level of services? Finally, what are the challenges faced by India's cities in reforming their service delivery? Timely and relevant, the book provides invaluable inputs for service delivery reform in cities of developing countries.