The political economy of urban water in India and Southeast Asia

This report compares the performance of urban water bureaucracies in 21 major cities in India with 18 major cities across Southeast Asia using survey data and political economy analyses. It finds that water bureaucracies in Southeast Asia are substantially more effective and efficient compared with those in India. For instance, they are more likely to : be responsive in terms of water availability; charge water tariff to cover cost of supply; connect households and rely less on public taps; apply user charges as indicated by metered connections; have better operating ratios and staff per connection; pay higher management salaries; and have more progressive tariff structure. It also suggests that this variation in performance can be explained by variations in the political economy and governance of urban water supply in India and Southeast Asia.