The Indian Government sought to decentralise authority to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and strengthen democratic government at the local level via the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (CAA) 1992. The municipal government has introduced specific programmes to improve access to public utilities water, sanitation and electricity – for slum dwellers irrespective of tenure status. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), which governs the city, and the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), work together to extend the coverage of basic services to newly incorporated areas on the city outskirts. The AMC commissioned the construction of sewage treatment plants at Vasna and Pirana in 1997.
In 1998, the AMC successfully financed a large part of a major water supply and sewerage project by issuing municipal bonds, demonstrating that market-based financing is a viable option for funding urban infrastructure projects. In addition, as part of the Sabarmati River Front Development project, it implemented an integrated storm water and sewage system with interceptor drains installed along both banks of the river. These captured sewage from 38 discharge points and routed it to the sewage treatment plants, preventing untreated sewage from flowing into the Sabarmati. This has led to improvements in the city-level environmental conditions and also in the quality of water in the Sabarmati River. Secure shelter as a pillar of social protection in urban areas. It contributes to improved access to basic services including housing, water, sanitation, electricity, education, health and employment – all of them important constituents in determining well-being.