CREDAI-MCHI Vision - MMR

medical services and facilities. Furthermore, Health Tourism as one of the products for
compared to the United States and the United tourism development. The state Government
Kingdom, India provides affordable treatment endorses Health tourism as one of its unique
alternatives without sacrificing the quality of selling points. In Kerala, Ayurveda centres are
care. Treatment costs about a fourth of what becoming increasingly common in hotels and
it does in the United States. With the best- resorts.
class five-star hotels and hospitals in Mumbai,
Maharashtra can become a quality healthcare The following are some of the critical
location for people worldwide, allowing them benefits of MMR:
to profit from the financial capital’s healthcare
knowledge and infrastructure. Health tourism • It has world-class hospitals and physicians.
carries many potentials. The Indian medical • The treatment costs a fraction of what it
systems, like Ayurveda, Yoga, Panchakarma,
Rejuvenation Therapy, and other traditional would in the source markets.
medical healing, are still in practice. Maharashtra • There is no delay for any of the medical
can deliver international-level healthcare and
medical services at a relatively reasonable cost. procedures.
Southern India, particularly Kerala, has created • India’s growing appeal as a tourist

attraction in the West
• Eastern Healthcare Wisdom combined

with Western Medical Expertise

38

3.5

Mumbai As
Next Innovation Destination

India is gradually preparing to transform into There is a strong business climate in Mumbai and
a land of more than 250 start-ups by 2025, a plethora of consumer heterogeneity, making
each with a $1 billion valuation. This will it a Billionaire’s platform. Based on its location
propel the Indian economy to unparalleled and vibrant local business landscape, Mumbai
heights. The start-up ‘wave’ is sweeping India, provides cutting-edge opportunities for start-ups
with 130 unicorns already documented in to expand their range. Essentially, the essence of
FY22. As a result, India has become a famous start-up culture is the idea of entrepreneurship
breeding ground for the “start-up” ecosystem, which is to have that distinguishing element
one that is teeming with innovation and has an as a ‘job creator’ and not just a ‘job seeker.’ A
entrepreneurial orientation. ‘Mumbai,’ India’s city like Mumbai seems ideal for thriving in the
financial capital, has the potential will soon coexistence of billionaires and start-ups, altering
become a new global start-up destination. its commercial landscape. It is gradually becoming
The threefold increase in the number of start- a capital of innovation, where entrepreneurs
ups witnessed in Mumbai in 2021 indicates thrive on the desire to expand globally.
that Mumbai is a desirable destination among
startup-generating cities. Mumbai can be a
start-up hotspot because of its fiscal incentives,
incubation facilities, novel funding mechanisms,
tax-friendly atmosphere, and cutting-edge
technology.

39

The Government of Maharashtra structural SaaS-based start-ups have a strong presence in
changes and progressive policies are clearly Mumbai. The city is famous for start-ups such as
intended to support the start-up community’s ClearTrip, TinyOwl, LightBox, and many others.
expansion. The current surge in unicorns
demonstrates the vigour of India’s start-up In Mumbai, however, there is a lack of Venture
scene. Both the Government and industry Capital (VC) environments, which is critical
recognise the country’s ability to generate to a conducive startup ecosystem as early-
creative ideas, develop entrepreneurs, create stage ventures need capital in-flow from VC.
jobs, and attract worldwide investments. VC capital intends to create returns on these
Today, start-ups play an instrumental role in inherently risky investments through exit
ensuring India Inc.’s backbone. Using these strategies that rely on a business growing over
educational pedagogies, students can expand a few years to the point where it is appealing
their involvement in entrepreneurial activities to an acquirer or (more rarely) capable of going
in the age of globalisation, paving the way for public. In most cases, rules and enforcement
their future success. actions treat almost any acquisition as a
nascent competitor rather than a potential
For many years, Bengaluru has been known as complement. This punishment punishes firms
India’s Silicon Valley. However, Mumbai is also for their successes when consumers benefit and
emerging as a strong contender as India’s next a platform or app creates value for its users. As
start-up hub. Mumbai is an ideal springboard a result, investments and acquisitions will likely
for entrepreneurs in formal and informal become more complex and expensive, which
economic settings. Mumbai provides a unique may disincentivise entrepreneurs. However,
platform for budding entrepreneurs to Create, given the inherent risks in the VC ecosystem,
Collaborate, and Communicate, building a the less welcoming the regulatory environment,
solid base for entrepreneurship. Hence, it the less money will be spent compared to other
is logical for Mumbai to take the position as places.
the next-generation start-up capital of India.

40

3.6

Dharavi Can Drive Recycling
Business of the World

With a maze of corrugated iron and open
sewage, Dharavi is one of the world’s
largest and oldest informal urban settlements.
It stretches for 550 acres in the heart of India’s
financial capital, Mumbai. in the last 150 years,
it has grown from a swampy and underutilised
strip of land to an area of hot debates. With
a population of around one million, it is today
known as one of the most densely populated
places on the planet. A casual spectator would

41

see nothing but poverty, misery, and squalor, efficiency level higher than the UK and the
but within the labyrinth of dilapidated homes US, Dharavi alone recycles up to 85% of its
and disgusting open sewers are an estimated Mumbai’s waste. The UK’s Observer describes
15,000 single-room factories employing Dharavi as “One of Asia’s most inspiring
approximately a quarter of a million people and business models.” On this basis, Prince Charles
turning over a stunning $US 1 billion each year. has described Dharavi as a paradigm for the
It may be a surprise to learn that Dharavi rest of the world regarding sustainability.

employs an army of over 120,000 rag-pickers For a country such as India, where garbage
daily to transport rubbish from every corner of disposal is not just a social taboo but also a
the city to Dharavi’s famed 13th compound. A threat, with waste strewn everywhere - in
rag-picker sells their rubbish by the kilogram the streets, in the sea, and behind homes -
to hundreds of small recycling businesses, Dharavi’s recycling success story has profound
who process the waste with thousands of significance. Mumbai generates over 15,000
scrap masters. They also expertly separate the metric tonnes of solid waste each day. The
different types of plastic into piles. Then the use and manufacturing of plastic have grown
scrap masters melt them in massive vats before significantly over the past two decades in
breaking them into tiny reusable pellets. Metals financial capital, adding to the agony of this
and E-Waste are seperately disassembled and societal issue. Dharavi remains a land of
sold for scrap or reusable pieces. If it were not recycling possibilities for the entire country.
for the rag-pickers and recycling facilities in the Today, recycling has helped to reduce the ever-
slums, Mumbai would be “one garbage yard.” increasing amounts of trash, fill fewer landfills,
There are estimates that a fifth of the slum’s produce biogas, and promote cleaner societies
residents are employed as waste collectors. while preserving resources and lowering
Despite many ethical and social debates prices. The scavenging mentality, grassroots
surrounding the slum, it has made itself known recycling, and sheer necessity of Dharavi’s rag-
as the ecological heart of Mumbai. With an pickers have led to creative leaps in garbage

42

deployment. A rising number of environmental agricultural wage levels. In addition to being one
campaigners see Dharavi as the green lung of the world’s biggest slums, Dharavi is a thriving
preventing Mumbai from suffocating from its business centre driven by micro-entrepreneurs
waste. who have created an invaluable industry that
recycles Mumbai’s waste. People who make
A delegation from CREDAI-MCHI toured the a living by recycling waste are known as “rag-
13 Compound Industrial Areas that house pickers”, and Mumbai has around 300,000 of
Dharavi’s recycling and scrap area, where these rag-pickers, many of whom are India’s
everything is recycled - bottles, drums, poorest and most marginalised.
paper, cardboard, soap, tin, and iron. While
over 1000 firms have permits, many small Dharavi is a small-scale industry centre that
businesses coexist quietly, transforming waste. exports goods worldwide, with an estimated
The majority of workshops encroach on yearly turnover of roughly $1 billion. It has
Government property. The masses generally around 5,000 MSME’s, with 15,000 single-
steal the power, and business owners rarely room factories in-house.
obtain proper licenses. Only one public
restroom is available for every 1,500 residents, Conclusion
no public hospital, and a few municipal schools
exist. Chicken and mutton vendors in the slum Dharavi is far from the stereotype of a slum.
dump bloody carcasses into open sewers - It is a slum with 5,000 different businesses
cholera, typhoid, and malaria are rampant in and industries that export these businesses’
these sewers. Most of the time, the taps are products. It is a slum with an annual turnover
dry, and tankers bring in potable water once of over $1 billion. However, it is a place that
every two weeks. has taught the world to recycle with intent.
With its proven success rate and expertise,
Despite this, Dharavi still provides many rural along with a bit of support from the system and
Indians with recycling opportunities. The Government, Dharavi can set a global standard
average household in Dharavi earns around for recycling with a 10 billion dollar turnover.
3,000 to 15,000 rupees a month, well above

43

Small-Scale Industries/Factories Leather Bags Made in Dharavi
Plastic Recycling Process at Dharavi
1) Leather industries:
Traditional Pot Making
It is the most prominent industry in Dharavi,
having the most significant share of revenue
among all industries. These industries have
high-profit margins, which attracts new
entrepreneurs. Finished products, such
as belts, purses, and wallets made from
semi-finished leather, are exported in large
quantities.

2) Plastic Recycling Industries:

Plastic recycling is divided into three steps.
First, mixed plastic waste is separated and
sorted by colour and hardness. Plastic chips
are generated by crushing segregated and
sorted plastic rubbish in a crushing machine.

3) Wax Printing:

One of Dharavi’s oldest industries is wax
printing. About 40-50 wax printing devices
are operating. Hot molten wax is applied
to the cloth using a wooden block with a
desired pattern on the bottom.

4) Aluminium brick-making industries:

This industry’s primary raw material is
mixed metal refuse. The aluminium is
separated from the mixed metal waste in
the first phase then shaped into solid 5 KG
bricks with a market price of 5000.

5) Pottery-making units:

The ‘Kumbhar’ community primarily
practises this profession. Diwali is the
busiest season for this occupation. In Diwali,
pottery kilns produce smoke that blankets
the entire neighbourhood. Each cottage has
its ceramic kiln and shop.

44

4

Trends Shaping
New Urbanism

45

The world is experiencing the most significant
wave of urbanisation in its history, with
over a million people moving into cities weekly.
Infrastructure, changing lifestyles, demographic
changes, and sustainability will all face new
challenges as urban populations grow. In
addition, we are witnessing a revolution in urban
design resulting from the rise of autonomous
vehicles and algorithmic composition. Despite
the growing demand for affordable housing,
well-connected transportation systems, and
other infrastructure, the built environment is
responsible for 39 per cent of all global carbon
emissions - far more than any other industry. We
must find a way to meet demand while avoiding
climate disasters. We have examined some of the
trends defining new urbanism.

46

4.1

Digitalisation of Administration

B usinesses worldwide are racing to the Indian context, low levels of digital literacy
create new or modify business-related make adopting digital technologies unviable.
processes, culture, and customer experiences With Mumbai being one of the most progressive
to compete in a digital-first market. However, urban areas in the country, digital literacy rates
the Governments in the third world are not are high, making it a great candidate for digitised
catching pace, and often they are sluggish when administration. However, the digital divide in
it comes to adopting digital technologies. Lack the city’s population could undermine efforts
of resources is the most common barrier to toward e-governance, slowing down the digital
digital transformation. However, especially in transformation process.

Case Study

The United Nations (UN) Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) publishes
a biennial ranking of countries based on their digital governance. In 2020, Denmark topped
the UN Member States’ online services, digital infrastructure, and citizens’ well-being list.
Demark was followed by the Republic of Korea, Estonia, Finland, Australia, Sweden, the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Singapore,
Iceland, Norway, and Japan.

Denmark’s rise to the top can be attributed to its five-year digital strategy. Denmark
implemented several strategic initiatives such as digital billing, enabling the exchange of emails
between citizens and the public sector, and a single, secure digital key as identification, to name
a few. This digital key - NemID for digital identification - is used by over 90% of Denmark’s
citizens to securely access hundreds of public and private services - from signing up kids for
kindergarten to paying bills from personal bank accounts.

The Government also bolstered the public sector’s digital service infrastructure, in healthcare,
for instance, and made digital communication with the public sector mandatory. As a result,
today, citizens can opt for several digital self-service solutions, making the administration
process transparent, quick, and efficient. But the critical ingredient in Denmark’s digital success
is trust in digital strategies - something that might need much groundwork to be introduced,
implemented, and adopted in a fragmented city like Mumbai.

47

4.2

Walk To Work Culture

People walking to workplace

W alkingistheleastrecognisedofallthedifferentmodesoftransportation.
Since it requires almost no investment except physical energy and a
safe network of roads, walking as a mode of transport is so easy to execute
that it gets ignored and deemed the least important. And yet, a global culture
of walking has always existed and is gaining more traction daily.
Many city administrations worldwide are pushing for integrated communities
where people from various backgrounds live, work, learn, and socialise. Their
interactions are rooted in shared rights, responsibilities, and opportunities.
This strategy eliminates the need to commute long distances for work.
Traditionally, real estate in the city centre is too expensive, compelling the
workforce to look for affordable housing far from the city in the suburbs.
When people live and work in the same locality, the need for expensive,
fuel-intensive transportation is significantly reduced, allowing people to ride
to work or walk to work. In the UK, efforts are underway to create such
integrated communities. The Government is proposing plans and has invited
five local authorities to be part of the Integrated Areas pilot - Blackburn with
Darwen, Bradford, Peterborough, Walsall, and Waltham Forest.

48

4.3

Electric Vehicles Eco-System

e car charging station A s concerns rise about climate change
and the alarming pace of fossil fuel
consumption, electric vehicles are being hailed
as the solution. They are predicted to be
the next disruptive technology in the market
and a force multiplier for the transportation
technology sector to revolutionise how energy
is consumed.

Though electric vehicles still feel like a far-
fetched dream, at least in the Indian context,
globally, more people are choosing to
switch over to electric vehicle variants for
environmental factors, efficiency, and new
technology evangelism.

Yulu Bike at BKC
49

Currently, the biggest roadblock for countries power, and a heightened environmental
unable to scale up their electric vehicle awareness coupled with the willingness to
ecosystem is a combination of charging change personal lifestyles to reduce individual
infrastructure unavailability, economic barriers carbon footprint.
to entry, and lack of technical know-how for
electric batteries and engines. It is estimated that European Union countries
have around 225,000 charging stations, with
But progress continues to be made. For over 70% concentrated in The Netherlands,
example, a study conducted in 2021 shows France, and Germany. These three countries
that China, Sweden, and Germany are the top comprise around 25% of the European Union’s
three countries featured on the Electric Vehicle surface area. The Netherlands reportedly has
Country Readiness Index. China’s chart-topping approximately 66,665 EV charging points, while
success can be attributed to a strong battery France has 45,751, and Germany has 44,538
manufacturing sector, well-developed charging EV charging points.
infrastructure, and Government policies that
incentivise electric vehicle usage. Electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure
correlate with market share and the country’s
Additionally, many countries in the European per capita gross domestic product (GDP).
Union are among the frontrunners in electric However, affordability still plays a significant
mobility adoption. As a result, the sale of role, creating barriers for individuals to buy
electric vehicles is steadily increasing, with electric vehicles. This, in turn, impacts market
over 1.4 million battery electric vehicles (BEVs) share and, therefore, the availability of charging
and Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) points - a vicious circle. Nevertheless, studies
registered in 2020. Compared to 2019, this is a project that by 2050, half of the world’s cars
massive 137% jump. will be electric. This is expected to cut global
CO2 emissions by up to 1.5 gigatonnes per
The European preference for electric cars can year.
be traced back to advanced electric vehicle
infrastructure, lower population, spending

50

4.4

Reliance on Renewable Energy
T he Earth’s climate has been damaged,

perhaps irreparably, by increased
human emissions of greenhouse gases. The
indiscriminate use of fossil fuels is the number
one culprit. The burning of coal, oil, and gas
has disrupted communities, economies, and
ecosystems globally. As a result, glaciers are
melting; ice sheets are shrinking, while river
and lake ice is prematurely breaking up. Age-
old geographic ranges of many plants and
animals are shifting, with blooming patterns
changing. Additionally, sea levels are rising at an
alarming rate, and temperatures are becoming
more extreme. These are just a few of the
recorded anomalies caused by climate change.

Wind Turbine

World’s Largest Floating Solar Panel, China

51

While it is debatable if there is enough time to
course-correct, a swift transition to renewable
energy could be an easy, quick, and effective
solution to reducing greenhouse gas levels.
Many countries are already leading the charge,
switching to renewable resources and efficient
Government policies to impact change. For
example, Sweden is well toward achieving its
100% renewable electricity production goal
by 2040. Back in 2012, Sweden met its target
of 50% renewable energy eight years before
scheduled by combining hydropower and
bioenergy.

Costa Rica has been producing 98% of its
electricity from renewable sources for the
last seven consecutive years. The country
uses hydro, geothermal, wind, biomass, and
solar power to achieve this feat. Scotland, too,
produced 97% of its electricity needs in 2020
from renewables. But, again, this is a massive
jump from just 37% made in 2011.

Iceland uses a combination of hydropower and
geothermal power to fulfil almost 100% of the
country’s electricity requirements. In addition,
9 out of 10 homes in Iceland use geothermal
power for heating. Setting in motion the most
significant energy policy reform in decades,
Germany is working towards its target of 80%
renewable power by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

China, the world’s largest carbon emitter, is
doing its bit to offset its emissions. As the world
leader in wind and solar energy production,
China aims to generate a third of its energy
by 2025 and invests in renewable energy
globally. Countries like Norway, New Zealand,
Morocco, Denmark, and Uruguay, too, are
leading the charge on renewable energy, giving
the rest of the world ample templates to create
the most effective renewable energy goals and
implementation plans.

52

4.5

Better Public Transport System
to Resolve Traffic Menace

Hyper Loop Transportation Technologies

I t is said that a developed city is not a place
where the poor have cars; it is where the
rich use public transport. And examples of
this are cropping up all over the world. More
than 55% of the global population lives in
urban areas today. This number is expected
to rise to nearly 70% by 2050. Managing this
escalation in population density needs a robust
infrastructure and transport system, which can
also help to address and offset the impact of
climate change if the population continues to
rely on fossil fuel-powered personal vehicles to
get around.

53

Taking the lead and leveraging innovation, Anyone can hop on a tram (or bus or train) in
countries worldwide are creating and Luxembourg for free
implementing roadmaps for last-mile
connectivity to mass transit to enable powered “magnetic levitation” Maglev trains
greater integration and accessibility for leverage the concept of electromagnetic
urban inhabitants. Luxembourg, for instance, propulsion to move quickly and quietly, reaching
became the first European country to offer up to 603 kph (375 mph). For context, such
free public transport in March 2020. As a speeds could get travellers from New York to
result, Luxembourg’s 630,000 citizens and Los Angeles in just seven hours.
around 525,000 yearly visitors now enjoy
complimentary access to buses, trains, and Hamburg’s transit authority, Hochban, aims
trams. The move has reduced the population’s to replace its entire fleet of around 1,100
dependency on cars to a great extent, alleviating diesel buses with zero-emission vehicles by
Luxembourg’s congestion issues. Per 1000 2030. Compared to their diesel counterparts,
people, the small country with just 2,586 sqkm e-buses generate 75% fewer emissions and
area has 681 vehicles. would help cut CO2 emissions by almost
Switzerland too is famed for its public transport 65000 tonnes annually - just as much as 32500
system. For example, the iconic Swiss car trains gasoline-powered cars create in a year. Other
allow passengers to travel intercity and cross- promising examples include Trondheim in
country to Italy via their cars, creating a hybrid Norway, transforming how bicycle commuters
public-private transport system that is safe and experience the city of Adelaide with its
efficient while cutting down on emissions and 100% solar-powered electric buses that can
travel time. Likewise, Shanghai’s electricity- travel 200 km between charges, and Istanbul,
Bangkok, and Lagos, which are exploring
Hamburg’s E-Buses water-based transport innovations to improve
urban mobility.

54

4.6

E-Bikes, Bicycles, and Sky Walk
as Last Mile Connectivity

Though cars have long been the most E Bikes
preferred mode of commuting for urban Cycling Copenhagen
citizens globally, the situation seems to be
changing. Cities are getting more crowded with
each passing day. There are growing concerns
about vehicular pollution and its contribution
to climate change, in addition to rising fuel
prices and maintenance costs. Thanks to public
transport innovations and Government efforts,
city dwellers are warming up to the idea of
bicycles, e-bikes, and walking for last-mile
connectivity.

In Copenhagen, about 62% of the population
uses bicycles to get to work or school, cycling
about 894,000 miles every day collectively.
The bicycle infrastructure gets about $45 per
capita, with many bicycle bridges and regional
cycle highways in use or under construction.
Amsterdam has also implemented an
ambitious plan to improve bicycle parking
and infrastructure to promote bicycle culture.
Besides creating new bicycle routes, existing
cycle tracks are widened to ease rush hour
traffic congestion. In addition, the plan
includes building low-speed cycle streets and
redesigning significant intersections to ensure
safety for bicycle commuters.

55

Utrecht in The Netherlands is pushing the Bremen, Bogota, Barcelona, Tokyo, Berlin,
boundaries to infuse innovation into building Taipei, Vancouver, Ljubljana, Hamburg, and
world-class cycling infrastructure and high Montreal too are drawing up plans to improve
bicycle modal shares to double the number the existing bicycle infrastructure and road
of bicycle commuters by 2030. Building upon safety. In addition, Governments are actively
its well-established reputation as a bicycle- promoting bicycle culture and removing all
friendly city, Antwerp is working to enhance its friction points restricting people from switching
bicycling network by incorporating intersection to bicycles.
improvements, traffic light management, and
lower speed limits on almost all its streets. On the other hand, e-bikes are slightly more cost-
Bicycle parking at train stations is being intensive and require charging infrastructure.
expanded as well. Other cities like Strasbourg, However, being less physically intensive to ride,
Bordeaux, Oslo, Paris, Vienna, Helsinki, e-bikes are considered the ideal alternative to
cars for logistics and last-mile deliveries. Several
Central Station Bicycle Parking tech companies are working to innovate several
Utrecht, Netherlands aspects of the e-bike industry, help reduce costs,
and improve battery life. In 2020, approximately
half of all bikes sold in The Netherlands were
e-bikes.

Besides promoting biking culture, Governments
are also looking at skywalks to provide safe
walkways to inhabitants. Though most skywalk
networks in North America are owned privately,
cities in the US Midwest like Minneapolis, Saint
Paul, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Rochester, and
Duluth offer pedestrian safety and convenience.
Skywalks in Saint Paul and New York are publicly
owned.

Many cities in Asia, too, are catching up,
and skywalks are proving to be excellent
infrastructure additions, primarily because
of dense populations. Cities in China, Saudi
Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia, Langkawi, Vietnam,
Bangkok, and Hong Kong are leveraging skywalks
for pedestrian and tourism purposes.

Modern and large China Ruyi Bridge

56

4.7

Sustainable and Responsible
Construction Practice

I n the last few decades, construction sustainability. Developing countries, however,
has boomed around the world. For the went on an indiscriminate expansion plan, often
most part, developed countries took a blinding aping design practices of the West
more measured approach toward building that were neither climatically nor contextually
practices, considering climatic conditions and appropriate.

57

These cookie-cutter design practices not Green Roof
only made construction inefficient but also
increased the over amount of energy required is much emphasis on using water-efficiency
for the building’s upkeep and maintenance, as technologies such as dual plumbing, greywater
well as air-conditioning and lighting. As the built reuse, rainwater harvesting, and water
environment grappled with these challenges, conservation fixtures to ensure judicious water
progressive architects and designers worldwide use during and after construction.
came up with solutions that would redefine
construction techniques while limiting the In 2018, India ranked second in the number
impact on the planet. of green tech projects and areas built up. As
innovation in the sector continues, more and
As a result, green construction techniques more green technologies will emerge in the
are increasingly being used worldwide architecture and design realm. However,
- in developed and developing regions. the current barrier for most people to
Environmentally conscious architects, incorporate sustainability into construction
designers, and urban planners are pushing practices is the high cost of materials and
for using resource-efficient, biodegradable skilled labour availability. But once sustainability
materials and environmentally responsible in construction becomes the norm, these
processes that draw from traditional building challenges are expected to resolve themselves
practices and old regional know-how. One of and take the green building revolution to newer
the most glaring inefficiencies in construction heights.
is air conditioning. While most tropical regions
require air to be cooled, buildings in temperate
and polar areas need heating. Instead of burning
fossil fuels for electricity to cool interior
spaces, design plans now incorporate good
air circulation to promote passive cooling. For
colder regions, solar energy has presented
itself as a great alternative. Placing windows
and heat-absorbent surfaces strategically in
the plan and green insulation with recycled
materials to line walls can passively heat homes
cost-effectively without burdening the planet.

Other groundbreaking ideas like energy-
saving and efficient smart appliances, green
roofs for micro-climate creation, low-energy
building design, and electrochromic smart
glass are pushing the envelope on sustainable
construction processes. In addition, there

58

5

Public-Private Partnerships:
Mega-Possibilities

59

Mumbai is the second largest of public-private partnerships
populated city in the world.
As per a report by United Nations frees up funding for other urban
Habitat Data in 2018, Mumbai is
the second most populated city infrastructure projects in two ways:
with 26,453 people living in one sq.
km area. Bangladesh capital, Dhaka first, through the potential savings
with 44,500 people living in one sq.
km area is only other city with high that result from the PPP approach,
density population. The number
of people living in cities will likely and second, by providing access to
increase significantly over the next
two decades. Realizing Mumbai’s private financing.
urban vision would require ensuring
quality urban services for the city’s A PPP model has always yielded
large, growing population. The great results in infrastructure
Government alone cannot fund the development across the country and
entire infrastructure investment has shown a positive track record for
as the scale of development is delivering projects. Furthermore,
enormous. However, by combining public-sector partnerships use
expertise, efficiency, innovation, risk output-based contracts that link
sharing, and financing, the private payments to performance. As a
sector can improve the quality result, the quality of assets and
of public facilities and services. services provided determines the
In addition, a robust ecosystem project’s success. Furthermore,
focusing on outputs motivates
the private partner to develop
creative methods and approaches
to meet lower-cost requirements.
This is done by encouraging them
to develop novel strategies and

techniques for project delivery.

60

5.1

4 P Model for Rejuvenation
of Water Bodies

Raw sewage, animal waste, and garbage are
significant sources of pollution in Mumbai’s
rivers. Slums are another primary source of
river pollution in Mumbai. Restoring natural
water bodies involves diverting sewage from
them. River rejuvenation requires appropriate
technologies and methodologies, and functional
sewer lines to succeed. Rejuvenating the whole
river ecosystem requires more than technology
adoption; an accountability and transparency
system. Furthermore, Sewage Treatment
Plants (STPs) must operate minute-by-minute
without any effluent discharge violations.
Therefore, the civic body needs a process
to ensure the operational efficiency of STPs.
Furthermore, the civic body should publish
daily statistics about STPs on its website.

Nevertheless, rejuvenation of river and
water bodies is impossible without end-user
participation and their perspective on Public-
Private Partnerships (PPPs). Moreover, it
is necessary to widen and improve water
quality, curb rivers’ pollution, construct
sewer networks, desilt access roads, beautify
riverbanks, and build sewage treatment
plants. As a result, we recommend a revised
Public-Private Partnership. In the model, the
participants include Government, local bodies,

61

private companies, civil society, and the private effectively. Instead of blindly choosing winners,

sector (PPPP/4Ps Model). the authority needs to consult with scientists,

This is an approach that involves the general researchers, and climate experts to determine
public alongside public and private actors in which solutions and technologies are ready
addressing the urban build environment’s for deployment or development. Also, the
problems. As part of this model, we advocate Government should begin inviting start-
a more transparent and modern approach to ups to participate in pilot projects with new
bringing the four dead rivers back to life by technologies that could be cost-effective.

forming a united front and bringing people into CREATING A MARKET FOR

the rejuvenation process by strengthening their TREATED WATER

connection to the river. It is also essential to The Maharashtra Government, MIDC, and other
balance the rejuvenation process with a change urban and statutory bodies must come together
in community behaviour in household waste under United Urban Water Authority (IOWA)
management since people are the most critical to develop a transition plan. Metropolitan cities
stakeholders. and industrial zones must establish constructive

Furthermore, a mission-driven approach wastewater reuse guidelines. Creating

to revitalisation can attract research and industry-specific usage manuals outlining how

innovation from leading corporations to help each sector will use treated wastewater daily is

Governments target their operations more imperative. By absorbing at least 75 per cent of

62

treated wastewater within a city, sectors such regime, so that private investment can flourish
as construction, urban landscaping, hotels, and in the water market. MMR should be able to
real estate must increase sewage absorption introduce a dual tariff system differentiating
rates. The Government must set global best tariffs for treated wastewater and fresh water,
practice standards for wastewater recycling as the current system rarely creates any
and establish an independent water quality differentiation between fresh water and treated
watchdog. water. As usages and consumptions vary, the
tariff should differ accordingly. Industries using
COLLABORATION WITH PRIVATE purified freshwater for industrial purposes
PLAYERS should have a higher tariff, while sectors using
filtered wastewater should be subsidized and
To improve sewage management, given financial incentives. The Government
Maharashtra’s Government must encourage should consider offering rebates to sectors or
urban local bodies to participate in transparent industries that uses 90% treated wastewater.
tendering processes. Local bodies should Furthermore, freshwater rates need to be
also develop an independent framework for marginally higher than wastewater.
exploring a competitive bidding process that can
lead to innovative public-private partnerships. INCENTIVISING INNOVATORS
Moreover, it is also necessary to form an
expert committee under the supervision of Modern wastewater treatment plants (WTPs)
the urban development secretary to assist with are capital-intensive and technologically driven,
technological innovations. so treating wastewater becomes impractical
without incentivizing innovation. Cloud-based
A NEW WATER TARIFF REGIME sensors, AI-based tracking devices, and the
Internet of Things have become part of the next
The Government should replace the current generation of wastewater treatment plants.
water tariff regime with a sector-specific

63

Only when the Government turns wastewater fund companies and start-ups that develop
treatment into a business opportunity, sensor-equipped gauges to track fluctuations in
the private sector will start investing in sewage levels and be resistant to high-methane
machinery and equipment. This will meet the environments. In the future, municipalities
Government’s high upfront expenses. may deploy these sensors and send SMS alerts
to on-the-ground teams for real-time sewer
A public-private partnership model is required maintenance, transforming the city’s sewer
to mitigate the unpredictable revenue system.
streams and make the whole water treatment
ecosystem foolproof. The Government should RIVER-SOURCE REVIVAL MISSION
provide financial support to companies to install
WTPs to reduce investment risk; in return, Rivers rejuvenation and restoration will have a
private companies can contribute through pragmatic approach when there is a concrete
their technical and operational expertise. A partnership between the public, the private,
PPP model like this will make the project more and the people to keep the rivers’ sources
cost-effective than a purely Government- clean. For this reason, the Government should
run project. Due to the fiscal constraints of think to establish a Task Force for each of the
Government-led investment, the PPP model four source lakes. A task force should consist
presents a new opportunity to build a significant of Government officials, private company
number of WTPs. The Government should representatives, civil society members, experts,
and people representatives.

64

In addition, each task force will be responsible SOFT INTERVENTIONS
for monitoring the cleaning process for each
river source. For example, the Mithi River gets Any intervention in the water sector must
its water from Powai and Vihar Lakes, and focus on behavioural changes and respect for
without cleaning these two sources of water, water. Governments and non-Governmental
cleaning or rejuvenating Mithi seems impossible. organisations must conduct awareness
Therefore, to ensure their cleanliness and campaigns targeting slum pockets, industries,
maintenance, the Government should establish and households to achieve lasting change. A key
a dedicated task force under the direction of element to improving implementation is the
the Environment Minister. development of capacity-building programmes
for staff and officials at treatment plants.
The local authority should develop an incentive
policy for the Riversource Cleaning Mission RIVER BUDDIES - PEOPLE’S
to attract private investment. This should MOVEMENT
include a property tax rebate for private
companies or a consortium of private players. The authority must encourage and facilitate
Parties interested in adopting the lake can the common people’s participation in the
do so directly or fund agencies designated by conservation, research, and education of
the task force for cleaning and maintaining its Mumbai’s water bodies. Volunteers from River
cleanliness. By doing so, private parties may be Buddies will assist the river rejuvenation mission
able to claim a tax rebate on expenses incurred by raising funds, providing volunteer labour,
during the lake’s maintenance. In addition, the and contributing in-kind resources, as needed,
Government can implement a similar mission in cooperation with the authority and task
in the catchment areas and river banks of the force management. River Buddies will promote
other three river sources based on the success public awareness of water bodies’ conservation
of this project. goals through its educational, scientific, civic,
and charitable programs. Through influencers
and celebrities, River Buddies will manage
its independent campaign. In addition, river
Buddies will work in the slums and advocate
for proper community waste management and
pollution issues within the River Floodplain.

65

General Water Pollutants

Pathogenic Plant
Organisms Nutrients

Oxygen-Demanding
Wastes

Inorganic
Chemicals

Synthetic Organic
Chemicals

Sediments Microplastics

Radioactive Oil and Heat
Substances

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5.2

Flood City To Sponge City

At the moment, instead of storing the Secondly, all stakeholders, including the state,
rainwater, Mumbai pumps it to the Arabian local Governments and the private sector, can
Sea through its British-era stormwater drains. join together to resolve the waterlogging issue,
The city must adopt a Tokyo model that like the city of Wuhan. Like Mumbai, Wuhan
eliminates the need to drain water into the sea. suffered from frequent flooding and severely
Instead, it discharges it into the ground or the soil polluted water bodies. As a result, Wuhan’s
to replenish groundwater. Although the project sponge city was proposed to solve urban water
is achievable, it would be a megaproject that pollution and waterlogging. The plan reduced
would require unprecedented civil engineering, waterlogging by improving the efficiency of
capital, and time, which will require private rainwater treatment and utilization, restoring
participation. In Mumbai, large underground water channels, and upgrading pumping
tanks are needed to store rainwater, like stations. In addition, to reduce pollution from
the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground non-point sources, Wuhan uses low-impact
Discharge Channel in Tokyo, which costs $3 development facilities to reduce treatment
billion. The project includes five giant cisterns costs.
and a tunnel connecting to an underground
storage tank of 6.5km in length. As a result
of this engineering marvel, flooding has been
reduced by half.

67

THE WUHAN MODEL (CHINA) 2. LOCAL SPONGE CITY
At the national level, the Chinese Government CONSTRUCTIOn
has been promoting sponge cities continuously Local Governments took detailed and
at all levels, from the national to the local. These enforceable actions based on national policies.
policies and plans have enriched the public’s Governments set up an internal collaborative
understanding of the concept and disseminated platform to handle sponge city construction
information about sponge cities’ construction since it involves many departments. The
plans, implementation guidelines, supervision, sponge city special planning platform organised
and management. the construction and management of sponge
facilities by organizing the compilation of
1. NATIONAL SPONGE CITY sponge city special planning, approving
CONSTRUCTION sponge facility construction and renovation
For the construction of sponge cities, the central projects, and coordinating and managing their
Government published policies and documents construction and operation.
that clarified regulations and provided guidance.
The Government selected 30 cities as sponge 3. INCORPORATING STAKEHOLDERS
cities and financially and politically supported AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
them. One of them was Wuhan. Between The public and other stakeholders also play
2015 and 2017, these pilot cities focused on an active role. The Government, for example,
building sponge cities and their performance was encouraged private capital to participate in
assessed in 2018. To evaluate the construction Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects to
effect, the central Government issued criteria relieve financial burdens. As a result, private
based on six dimensions: water ecology, water capital can participate in the investment and
environment,Water 2022, 14, 1531 water resources, water security7 o,f 23 construction of sponge city projects and their
policy development and implementation, and dividends. In addition, residents can object to
project and planning proposals during the public
services up-front, and then drawing profits from taxpayers and/or users over the course notice period. Additionally, they can supervise
and respond to relevant departments during
renovation percentage.of the PPP contract. In sponge city construction, usually the related projects are bundled the construction and operation of the projects.
up by municipal government and sign PPP contract with the qualified enterprises. The
enterprise will have responsibility for design, construction, and operations.

Figure 3. Chinese implementation mode of sponge city pilot construction.

3 3.2. National and Local Pilot Sponge Cities

To explore the specific development model of sponge cities construction in different
regions of China, the Ministry of Finance (MF), the Ministry of housing and urban-rural
development (MHURD) and the Ministry of water resources (MW) of China coordinately
promoted the national pilot sponge cities construction. According to the characteristics of
China’s geographical climate, average annual rainfall, and urban development intensity,
30 cities were selected as national pilot sponge cities with different annual rainfall volume
capture ratio targets in 2015 and 2016 (Figure 4). Each pilot city constructed a pilot region
with no less than 15 km2 in 3 years. The main task of pilot cities was to explore a develop-
ment model which is suitable for the construction of sponge cities in the specific region,

68and to form a set of practices, experiences, policies, and systems which can be promoted in

similar cities. In addition to the national pilot construction, provinces and cities have also
carried out their own sponge city pilot construction. According to statistics, 13 provinces

5.3

MMR With Green Cover

In light of the deteriorating conditions of in our cities, such as rivers, creeks, lakes,
our urban life, MMR needs to prepare ponds, abandoned quarries, mangrove islands,
development plans based on the expansion wetlands, beaches, and seafronts. We should
of open spaces. There have been declines aim to create plans for non-barricaded, non-
in quality of life, growth of the informal exclusive spaces accessible to all citizens. A
sector, degradation of open spaces and the plan ensures that open spaces are not only
destruction of the environment, including accessible but also geographically and culturally
water bodies. These have left our cities in an integral to neighbourhoods and community
unfavourable state. Moreover, most people activities. Development plans place the needs
find our cities arduous to live because of high and interests of people and the community at
urban transportation costs, a lack of housing, the centre of planning.
inadequate and inefficient amenities, and fragile
services. Sadly, our attempts to develop cities Fact Sheet
are fragmented, disparate, contradictory, and
almost always reactive. The average open space per person in
London is 31.68 square meters. The area
To address this issue, we need plans that of New York is 26.4 square meters. On the
redefine the idea of open spaces beyond other hand, Mumbai has just 1.58 square
gardens and recreational grounds. We need meters of open space per person. Under
strategies that include many natural assets current development policies, the area
per person will further decline to 0.87
square meters. Eventually, open spaces
become ‘leftovers,’ or residual spaces after
construction potential.

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The Way Forward: SEAFRONTS:

l It is essential to preserve open space Mumbai is a seaside city with
around or adjacent to natural assets a 149 km coastline and seven
and to define the boundaries of various interconnected islands. It
elements, including seafronts, beaches, is a city with few parallels
rivers, creeks, mangroves, wetlands, anywhere in the world. Despite this, no
lakes, ponds, tanks, nullahs, parks, effective mechanism exists to respect and
gardens, plots, layouts, recreation preserve these coastlines used as public spaces.
grounds, historical forts and precincts, In Bandra and Carter Road, the promenades
hills and forests, city forests to create demonstrate how neighbourhood initiatives,
buffer zones to combat abuse. inclusive, non-elitist planning and private and
public support can transform our seafronts. As
l Identify spaces that will enable the a result, several iconic waterfronts in Mumbai
various categories of open space to be could become vibrant, open public spaces.
interconnected.
BEACHES
l Make sure to reserve ‘Open Spaces’
adjacent to markets and public buildings. Mumbai has 16 kilometres of
beaches and ample public open
l Preserve the precincts surrounding spaces for people to enjoy the
railway stations and designate them as Arabian Sea. Unfortunately,
‘Open Spaces’. the unbridled construction along the coast
is causing our beaches to shrink, causing
l Ensure that all waterfronts are open ecological damage. However, an Israeli beach
spaces. conservation and nourishment program can
help reverse some of the damage. Dadar
l Identify specific areas of the beaches as Prabhadevi is currently undergoing such an
‘Open and Conservation Precincts’. experiment on a modest scale, with promising
results that have the potential for replication
l Create six-meter wide open spaces on elsewhere.
both sides of the nullahs and make their
public open spaces while maintaining RIVERS:
access to the nullahs for maintenance.
The Four Rivers of Mithi,
l Identify and demarcate NDZ land that Oshiwara, Dahisar, and Poisar
must be reserved as compulsory open stretch for 40.7 km. The current
spaces, labelled “Open NDZ.” situation is that these rivers
are virtually invisible to the city’s population.
l Make a distinction between hills and Mumbai’s riverfronts have the potential to yield
forests and all other open spaces. 81.4 km of walking and cycling pathways. In this

l Municipal corporations and the State
Government are responsible for planning
and developing public open spaces.
Therefore, public participation and
dialogue are necessary when it comes to
public open spaces.

70

way, the city is given a veritable ‘tree of life by WETLAND:
connecting the veins with other public spaces.
Mumbai’s urban wetlands
CREEKS AND attract hundreds of flamingos
MANGROVES: every year. As part of nature’s
bioengineering, wetlands
Almost 70 square kilometres of protect coastlines, prevent soil erosion, prevent
creeks and mangroves coexist flooding, and breed marine life. Integrating
with Mumbai’s land mass, our wetlands by constructing boardwalks,
making it one of the few cities promenades, and gardens along their edges is
worldwide to do so. In addition to protecting possible. So instead of building over our rich
coastal areas from high tides, cyclonic winds, natural treasures, let’s protect and enjoy them.
and erosion, their environs also present a
significant opportunity to create ecologically- DEVELOPMENT PLOTS TO
sensitive public parks. The city will gain RECREATIONAL PLACES:
approximately 33 kilometres of boardwalks
and promenades through the process. Creating To maintain our green
these spaces alongside ecologically valuable cover, we should encourage
creeks and mangroves also enhances these developers to donate some of
areas’ protection. the lands in their development
plans for public recreational
space. It should be a voluntary excercise by
the developers, however, the Government can
incentivise developers to give up their land for
public open space so that the scheme receives
wide acceptance. The incentive can be in the
form of a tax rebate or an additional FSI.

71

5.4

Making Mumbai Breathable

As a coastal region, Mumbai should not have Dombivali. There are 13 industrial zones in
high levels of pollution. However, the and around Mumbai - Ambernath, Badlapur,
air quality in the area has been deteriorating Chembur, Dombivali, Kalyan-Bhiwandi, Mira-
due to rapid industrial and infrastructure Bhayandar, Marol, Patalganga, TTC, Taloja,
development. There has to be a deliberate Vasai-Virar and Wagle estates.
effort from all corners to save Mumbai from
turning into another pollution pressure cooker The Mahul-Trombay belt, which includes the
like Delhi. The city needs to wake up and take villages of Mahul, Ambapada, and Chereshwar,
corrective measures. An organisation in Delhi not only pollutes the air but also threatens
called the Centre for Science and Environment the entire biodiversity. Major industrial
(CSE) has published a report titled Enhanced establishments such as Bharat Petroleum
Strategic Plan toward Clean Air in Mumbai Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum
Metropolitan Region. The report analyzes and Corporation Ltd. (HPCL), Tata Power,
estimates the air pollution load in the Mumbai Rashtriya Chemical Fertilizers (RCF), Sea
Metropolitan Region (MMR) areas. This area has Lord Containers, Aegis Logistics, Indian Oil,
four industrial zones: the Trans-Thane Creek Natual Oil Blending Ltd., Chemical Terminal
(TTC), Taloja Industrial Area, Ambernath and Trombay Ltd. and Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre (BARC) are the eminent contributors

72

towards this. Recently, National Green 76.3% complained all year round, and 86.6%
Tribunal (NGT) observed in a judgement complained of eye irritation. In addition, 84.5%
that Mahul, Ambapada, and Chembur have reported persistent choking sensations.
conditions that are sometimes comparable to
a gas chamber and that four companies causing Chereshwar CHS Limited, Mahul, had 7.3% of
air pollution are fined `286 crores for causing residents with mild restrictions on pulmonary
air pollution. They include Bharat Petroleum function tests and 5% with mild obstructions.
Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan 66.5 % of respondents in Ambapada reported
Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Sea coughing. In addition, 61.3% complained of
Lord Containers Limited (SLCL), and Aegis eye irritation, 51.4% experienced choking
Logistics Limited (ALL). The bench directed sensations in their chests, 53.3% complained
HPCL to pay `76.5 crores, BPCL to pay `67.5 of frequent colds and a running nose, and 81%
crores, All to pay `142 crores, and SLCL to mentioned strong smells.
contribute `0.2 crores, and held the companies
responsible for released emissions of 199.9 kg Solutions
per day, 176.57 kg per day, 372.54 kg per day
and 0.53 kg per day, respectively. Mumbai can fix its air pollution problem. Here
are a few of its solutions.
The 61 pages National Green Tribunal (NGT)
reads, “Logistic services and storage of oil, gas, RELOCATING POLLUTING GIANTS
and chemical items, as well as oil companies
releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Because of the severity of the problem, State
while loading, storing, and unloading hazardous and Central Governments should form a Joint
chemicals at various stages, have been major Task Force at the national level to evaluate the
contributors to air pollution.” As a result of the options for relocating the polluting units from
deterioration in ambient air quality, the Tribunal Chembur. At least, they can start planning to
found that residents were at risk of health shift them out over the next 10 to 15 years.
problems. The judgement has also advised the This is because an immediate relocation would
Maharashtra Government to conduct a health be too drastic since the costs involved would
impact assessment and a VOC assessment. The be too high for these businesses. However,
Tribunal also issued an unexpected directions tapping the existing refinery’s land value to
for prevention and remediation by various
project operators and regulatory authorities.

RESPIRATORY MORBIDITY SURVEY

On July 16, 2013, KEM Hospital conducted
a respiratory morbidity survey in Mahul and
Ambapada villages. According to the report,
67.1% of Mahul’s population complained of
breathlessness more than three times a month,

73

AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM

BPCL, Chembur To improve air quality, the MMR should
develop an Air Quality Improvement Program
fund the relocation is a win-win. BPCL’s that identifies and funds transportation-related
Mumbai refinery occupies 454 acres of prime emission reduction projects. For the program
land. Similarly, HPCL owns nearly 340 acres in to be successful, it should support investments
the city, while RCF owns approximately 785 that encourage alternatives to pollution-causing
acres near its Trombay plant. In addition, it transport systems and urban built environments.
may be possible to create affordable housing, MMR emissions from transportation account
playgrounds, and more open space in the city for about a third of all carbon dioxide emissions
after the rehabilitation of the refineries. and are rising rapidly.

SHIFTING FUEL NEW REGULATORY FOR
CONSTRUCTION
TTC and Taloja are also polluting industrial areas,
with significant coal consumption contributing The construction sector needs a fresh outlook
to the pollution. However, industries in these to reduce carbon monoxide, ozone, and
areas have the potential to switch to cleaner particulate matter emissions, often through
fuels. In Taloja, industries are already shifting congestion mitigation techniques. The
to PNG; in TTC, agro-waste and briquettes construction sector contributes significantly to
are being used. TTC consumes almost 70 per city pollution, so updated regulatory systems
cent of MMR’s agro-residue. Keeping TTC and or modifications to existing schemes for
Taloja’s PM emissions under control. energy efficiency in the construction sector
are needed. For example, the Romanian
SUBSIDIES Government has introduced revised building
energy codes that require new construction
It is necessary to encourage polluting industries and renovations to comply with minimum
to adopt cleaner fuels. Cleaner fuels are also energy performance standards in recent years.
essential to be less expensive, so there should Many developing and developed countries
be subsidies for small- and medium-sized have also introduced specific regulations. For
enterprises to support purchasing air pollution example, Brazilian Government regulations
control devices. There should also be a proper have banned some kinds of incandescent bulbs
mechanism to penalize large and medium-sized and mandatory certification of public lighting
enterprises for not adopting these technologies. that uses LEDs or other efficient lamps. In
addition, other countries are experimenting
with solar thermal ordinances (STOs), which
form part of municipal laws concerning building
technologies. A solar thermal obligation is a
legal requirement that requires the installation
of solar thermal systems to cover a building’s
minimum share of heating demand.

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INCENTIVIZE ENERGY EFFICIENT (3.86 square miles) area of the city. The tower
BUILDINGS has produced clean air for more than 10 million
cubic metres (353 million cubic feet) every
Investing in innovative materials with adequate day. In addition, the building reduced smog to
thermal performance is also necessary to build near moderate levels on heavily polluted days.
energy-efficient buildings. Ukraine launched a Approximately half of a soccer field’s worth of
State Programme on Energy Efficiency in 2016 greenhouses surround the tower’s base. As
to address this issue. This program provides the polluted air passes into the glasshouses, it
loans to finance the costs of energy-efficient gets heated with solar energy. Then, through
materials and equipment. Approximately multiple layers of cleaning filters, the hot air
50%–60% of a building’s energy consumption rises through the tower.
comes from heating and cooling operations,
so thermal insulation is crucial. By monitoring Air Purifier in XI’AN, CHINA
the overall energy performance of buildings
and evaluating individual building components,
digital solutions can contribute to tracking
these inefficiencies.

AIR FILTERS

Additionally, CREDAI-MCHI is conducting
a climate change risk analysis of real estate
properties in MMR. Our key recommendation
is to use self-responsible climate resilience
scanners when acquiring any newly acquired
assets. As part of our plans, we will form a
consortium of developers who will install small
and gigantic air filters throughout the city.
Government can consider offering more FSI
or discounts on premiums to encourage more
developers to join the scheme.

CASE STUDY

An experimental tower 100 metres (328 feet)
in northern China has improved air quality.
Some term it to be the world’s giant air
purifier. Xian’s Institute of Earth Environment
at the Chinese Academy of Sciences is testing
the tower in Shaanxi province, where it was
built. During the past few months, air quality
has improved over a 10-square-kilometre

75

Pic is for representation purpose 5.5

Decongesting Mumbai:
A Practical Approach

Mumbai is India’s first and the world’s fifth-most
congested city in 2021. According to TomTom’s
Traffic Index, which examined 404 cities in 58 countries,
Mumbai residents waste 11 days a year stuck in traffic. In a
megacity where nearly 10,000 people travel daily to work,
that’s a significant loss of productivity. Easy, safe, and fast
access to transportation is essential to a city’s economic
stability. Nonetheless, Mumbai’s congestion has resulted in
an inefficient labour market and severe environmental and
economic consequences. According to data, there are 216
vehicles per 1,000 people in Mumbai and 34 lakh vehicles
in total. A NITI Aayog report estimates that commuting
time in Mumbai is 1.5 times longer than it should be on a
congestion-free road. Despite this, there are many ways
to solve the traffic problem significantly, if not wholly.
Congestion pricing is one of the most effective solutions
that many countries have successfully tried, tested, and
implemented.

76

CONGESTION PRICING REAL-TIME CONGESTION
It is a fee for vehicles (primarily cars and SUVs) if MANAGEMENT
they enter a jammed or gridlocked zone during As a global leader in usage-based road pricing
peak hours. Although similar to tolls, their mechanisms, Singapore implemented its
purpose is different. A toll is a means of paying Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system in 1998.
back the contractor who built and maintained When vehicles with in-vehicle units (IUs) pass
the road. By contrast, Congestion Pricing aims through ERP gantries, sensors and license plate
to discourage car users from using congested recognition cameras charge fees based on the
roads during peak hours and encourage them to type of vehicle, time of entry, and location.
use alternative modes of transport. In addition, A series of adjustments are made to rates
congestion Pricing revenue is used to improve throughout the year to support optimal traffic
public transport, cycling, and pedestrian speeds and mitigate congestion.
infrastructure.
In 2023, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority
London implemented targeted road pricing (LTA) will update its ERP technology and replace
to improve air quality and provide sustainable its current onboard units (OBUs) with updated
travel alternatives. Currently, London has three models. GNSS-enabled OBUs will provide real-
zones with distinct road pricing schemes. Large time congestion information to users, such as
and heavy vehicles are the primary focus of the traffic patterns and special zones with reduced
Low Emission Zone (LEZ), which covers nearly speeds.
all of the metropolitan area (1,580 km2). The
Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) stretches
throughout inner London (381 km2), targeting
the most polluting cars, vans, and motorcycles.
Congestion on the roads cost the economy up
to £4 million per week in lost productivity due to
congestion before 2003. Since the introduction
of the ULEZ in 2019, London should be able
to meet current legal pollution limits in 2025,
compared to 200 years previously.

77

DECARBONIZATION
In addition to improving efficiency, decarbonising
existing public transportation supports the MMR
Green Plan’s zero-emission goals. In recognition
that reducing traffic pollution through zero
or low emission mobility options is the most
effective way to combat it, BEST is expanding
public transport and deploying electric buses in
a significant way. MMRDA should be responsible
for developing infrastructure for walking
and cycling and incentivizing electric vehicle
adoption.

TRANSPORTATION DEMAND
MANAGEMENT (TDM)
Many IT employees in India commute to
and from work in private cars, which is one
reason why employer-initiated TDM strategies
have helped reduce traffic congestion. Some
initiatives include subsidizing commuters
for public transportation or carpooling. For
example, some businesses have used company
buses to transport workers to their offices from
metro stations, providing much-needed last-
mile connectivity. As a result of these programs,
30-50 per cent of targeted employees have
switched to public transportation from cars,
resulting in reduced travel times and significant
cost savings for employers. As a result of
shorter commutes, employees are also more
productive, and bus and other public transit
subsidies are cheaper than buses used by
private companies.

78

79

6

People-Driven
Development Model
E xperience has shown that when given clear and transparent

rules, access to information, and appropriate technical
and financial support, communities can effectively organize to
identify community priorities and address local development
challenges by working in partnership with local Governments
and other institutions to build small-scale infrastructure, deliver
basic services and enhance livelihoods. Transportation, health
and education system underpins economic activity and catalyzes
growth and development.

8800

6.1

Health

Community Clinics

Given the success rate in Delhi and Punjab and proven
pilots in different parts of the country, community
clinics could be an excellent introduction to Mumbai’s
ecosystem. With most of the city living in slums and
unhygienic conditions, diseases are commonplace.
However, access to healthcare is often restricted
to those who can afford it. This implies that most of
Mumbai do not receive adequate healthcare, which
is a cause for concern. Not only is it an alarming
situation for the financial capital of the country, but
also a ticking bomb in terms of spreading epidemics.

81

If lack of space is a constraint, there is already a recently announced 227 polyclinics and 50
tried-and-tested solution. For example, Delhi’s health centres as part of Phase 1. It is estimated
community clinics experimented with portable that there will be one clinic per 25000-30000
shipping containers, transforming them into people, complete with an MBBS doctor, a nurse,
fully functioning clinics with air conditioning. a pharmacist, and multi-purpose workers.
The containers are small enough to occupy a
menial land mass while being large enough to Though this is a promising start, there needs to
accommodate equipment, materials, doctors, be more administrative support and push for
and patients. They are also cost-effective to the community clinic concept. Similarly, these
build and set up around the city. CREDAI-MCHI clinics must employ and retain skilled doctors
can help the local wards to set up community and nurses to provide world-class facilities and
clinics by mobilising private funds. treatments, which need to be subsidised or
provided for free by the Government. Several
In 2016, the city unveiled its first community start-up efforts are already concentrated in the
clinic; however, the concept has not seen much generic medicine realm, inviting innovation and
traction since then. Hoping the community public participation via a clinic campaign where
clinics will ease the strain on Mumbai’s already private companies, developers, or individuals
stressed healthcare system, the Government can become the sponsors for the Community
Health Welfare Programme.

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MOBILE HOSPITALS are caused due to inadequate healthcare; it is
In a city like Mumbai, where most citizens safe to assume a chunk of these deaths occur
do not have access to traditional, established in Mumbai city.
healthcare systems and facilities, mobile
hospitals could be one way to ensure the health Additionally, a recent Government report
and well-being of citizens. The concept of a estimates that by 2031, 41% of India’s
mobile hospital is not new; it has been used population will be elderly. This implies that
across history, in various countries and various about 194 million Indians - again, a considerable
contexts, from military to charity to mass number of which will be in cities like Mumbai -
disaster management purposes. will need healthcare service at their doorstep,
or at least accessible and nearby. This makes
A mobile hospital is essentially a large vehicle mobile hospitals, working hand-in-hand with
outfitted with all the essential equipment, mohalla clinics, a viable option to democratise
almost like a hospital that has been pared down healthcare for the poor and the elderly. From
to the basics. From first aid to vaccinations, spreading healthcare awareness, handling
mobile hospitals ideally have the facilities and pregnancy issues, infant mortality & women’s
the personnel to provide healthcare services health to collecting large-scale health data to
whenever and wherever required. Such an predict and prevent pandemics and improve
offering could severely reduce the number healthcare for all, mobile hospitals have ample
of deaths in the city due to poor healthcare. scope in Mumbai.
Studies estimate that 16 lakh deaths every year

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ACCESSIBLE INSURANCE FACILITIES this problem is two-fold. A part of the solution
Though Mumbai has been the country’s financial is the creation of awareness and willingness
capital since historic times, the economic divide amongst people to invest in insurance. The
between the rich and the poor has always been other is to provide a better public healthcare
wider. One significant barometer to study this system and make insurance accessible to all.
gap is how the two classes of society experience Efforts to tackle both parts of the solution to
healthcare. On the one side, there are five-star bring about positive change are the need of the
luxury hospitals to take care of the urban rich, hour in Mumbai.
and on the other side, there is a dearth of health
care for the poor. A study conducted in 2015 Key Recommendation
suggested that 71% of Mumbai’s households
did not have medical insurance. And yet, each • The Government should bring private
of these households spent an average of about financing and urban insurance coverage
Rs 50,000 on medical expenses, which strained mechanisms for the marginalised
them financially. community.

The same study estimated that Mumbai • The Government should monitor and
residents collectively spent over Rs 13 crore evaluate, including clinical audits and
on healthcare, but the impact was more community involvement.
profound on those from lower socioeconomic
groups. While only 32% of respondents said • The Government should evaluate the
they used public health facilities, 52% opted impact of policy levers on the quality of
for private healthcare facilities. The solution to care received to the poor and marginalised
section of the city.

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6.2

Education

COMMUNITY SCHOOLS a close relationship between the community
With rampant poverty and the socioeconomic and the school serving the community,
divide in Mumbai, education or even access shared facilities, opportunities for continuing
to education could be challenging for the education and lifelong learning, a community-
underprivileged. Several factors impact oriented curriculum, community involvement
literacy in disadvantaged sections of the city, in management and decision-making, and the
from funding to access to schools, quality of development of the community via the school.
teachers and education provided, to availability
and access to books and technologies. While These tenets make community schools perfect
most slum kids had relatively adequate access for Mumbai’s context, given its large-scale
to the Government school infrastructure in slums that could benefit from education for
Mumbai, the transition to e-learning has been
challenging. A 2020 study indicated that most
slum kids could not attend online school due
to a lack of internet-enabled phones. Only
27% of slum kids could access classes online.
CREDAI-MCHI Mumbai women’s wing has
already started an education campaign for
children living in slums and has set a road map
for community education in the seven clusters
of Mumbai.

Now that the world is slowly opening up
post-pandemic, serious thought needs to be
applied to the education access problem.
One solution is implementing community
schools, a format that has seen much success
worldwide. Experts argue that community
schools must have six distinctive elements to be
considered community schools. This includes

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its children and development via the school.
Children could access customised education
that empowers them within their social
construct and transforms their lives with skills
relevant to the community.
In addition, the schools could provide
opportunities for adult literacy and other
community programs to enable slum dwellers
to take ownership of their lives and improve
their situations. These schools could also play
the dual role of research labs for iterative
improvement in education.

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SKILL TRUCKS would be an added advantage in those careers.
CREDAI-MCHI is setting up a dedicated fund
While education reform and accessibility will for a robust skilling ecosystem with the idea of
help ensure that every underprivileged child scaling the community resources through skill
in Mumbai has a foundational degree, enabling trucks.
them to enter the skilled workforce, the need
for fundamental skills training is all the more Computer literacy is one of the essential skills
pressing. Even with Government education, in today’s mobile-oriented, digital-first world.
many underprivileged children and adults miss This, along with crucial computer application
essential soft and hard skills like technology, development, programming, or coding, is
computer training, communication, leadership, often the gateway to a high-paying job, steady
etc. Moreover, vocation-based training like income, etc., giving underprivileged youths a
welding, plumbing, electrical wiring, food way out of generational poverty. Though these
processing, primary healthcare, mobile repairs, skills are usually the mainstay of society’s highly
etc., could help fast-track the roadmap to a educated, privileged strata, skills trucks would
stable career and income. be a great asset to make these skills available,
affordable, and accessible to lower-income
Several non-profits and start-ups are looking for groups.
solutions to this problem. One viable solution
is the skill truck model. Like mobile hospitals, The skill trucks could also be utilised to
vans or buses outfitted with all the necessary supplement Government school education,
equipment and trainers could go around the leveraging the mobile, fully equipped multi-skill
city, providing skills training to those in need lab with wi-fi-enabled, audio-video learning
for free or subsidised rates. These skill trucks aids, etc. There is also scope for aptitude testing
would prepare the youth for employment and and career guidance, in addition to vocational,
entrepreneurship opportunities by assessing educational, and technical training for holistic
the individual’s aptitude and strengths to suggest growth and development.
potential careers and, therefore, skills that

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