Mr. Sameer Pendharker will present his APS as per the details below: 

Date : 29th September 2023

Time: 1630 to 1730 hrs..

Venue: CTARA Conference Room No.1

Topic: Access to Water to Slum Residents: Understanding Water Service Modalities in Slums of Mumbai and Raipur

Guide: Prof. Subodh Wagle

RPC Members: Prof. N.C. Narayanan, Prof. Pranjal Deekshit

Abstract:

Millions of slum residents in India, face the issue of lack of access to water. This research tries to understand the lack of access to water to slum residents through complex and diverse water service modalities shaped by multiple factors. The research adopts a multi-case study research strategy with two cases, namely, Mumbai and Raipur, with various slum sites as sub-cases. In the previous APS two conceptual frameworks based on; Social Practices Theory and Access Theory were presented along with analysis protocols pertaining to both these theories. The research also brought out shortcoming of social practice theory in addressing issues related to coercion and control by certain actors involved at the last mile of water access to the slum residents. It was shown how an Access Theory-based conceptual framework can overcome these shortcomings. The research paradigm, research design, and action plan for analysis were also presented. In the last APS, only a broad and tentative chapter outline for the dissertation was presented.

This Annual Progress Seminar (APS) focuses on bringing together the work of all previous APSs to form a coherent thesis. Discussion in this APS begins with a logic flow for the overall thesis built by synthesizing the work carried out in all previous Annual Progress Seminars. Dissertation writeups for five completed chapters, including two findings chapters on social practices related to water access and water service modalities in slums of Mumbai and Raipur, have been covered in the current APS. Findings chapters based on social practice theories and water service modalities reveal that access to water to slum residents at the last mile of water service delivery is shaped by the meanings, competencies, and materials deployed by various actors in carrying out everyday practices. These practices carried out by multiple actors link in a sequential manner to form water service modalities consisting of sourcing, transporting, collecting, and storing practices. Water service modalities formed by the sequential linkages of the aforementioned four categories of practices are contingent upon the nature of the interaction between the actors carrying out linked practices. The shortcoming of social practice theories in capturing the control and coercion of practices of slum residents by other actors has been brought out through the findings.

A detailed outline of the findings chapters based on access theory-based analysis has also been included.

Finally, a work plan for completion of dissertation writing has been included.