Sanitation situation in most urban areas in India is serious and is negatively impacting environmental health and quality of life. Three of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are directly related with sanitation. These are: reducing child mortality, combating diseases, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Past attempts of addressing urban sanitation had limited success. Experiences in India suggest that improved sanitation requires innovative approach to tenure, fiscal resources as well as partnership between local communities and local governments.

Shelter Associates and Baandhani have been committed to providing access to sanitation over the last twelve years and have carried out several projects using innovative approaches within a given situation. So far projects have been successfully implemented in the cities of Pune, Sangli and the Municipal Council of Khuldabad in Aurangabad District.