3.6b - Challenges Caused By Population Growth

Question 1

Why does having lots of informal work effect the infrastructure in place?

Answer 1

• People working in the informal sector don’t pay tax
• The government set up tax free zones to entice TNCs
• Lack of tax means no money to spend

Question 2

Why is housing an issue in Mumbai?

Answer 2

• The government have to money due to a lack of taxes, so they can’t build houses
• Private companies have a limit as to how much rent they can charge so they don’t build houses

Question 3

What percentage of Mumbai use communal taps?

Answer 3

60%

Question 4

What are problems with water supply?

Answer 4

The water pump can stop working in a power cut and therefore water cuts out
Standpipes are used and these are rationed in the slum - 1 million people can only access the standpipes at 5:30am for 2 hours

Question 5

How many litres of untreated sewage enters the Mithi river everyday?

Answer 5

800 million litres

Question 6

What percentage of Mumbai’s waste is recycled?

Answer 6

80%

Question 7

How much is Dharavi’s recycling industry worth?

Answer 7

1.5 million dollars

Question 8

What are the ways in which air quality can be improved in Mumbai?

Answer 8

• Using LPG instead of burning coal
• Using low benzene petrol
• Improving public transport
• Charging higher road tax on older vehicles

Question 9

How many people die each year as a result of poor transport infrastructure?

Answer 9

3500

Question 10

How many cars are there in Mumbai and why is this an issue?

Answer 10

There are over 1.8 million cars in Mumbai meaning its roads are frequently gridlocked-combined with other traditional forms of transport like bullock carts it causes traffic chaos

Question 11

How many people use the railway and why is this an issue?

Answer 11

Over 90% - issue because it puts huge strain on Mumbai’s railway system
every day 8 million people use it

Question 12

Why is it difficult to find affordable housing in Mumbai?

Answer 12

Because the population densities are very high so rents are very high

Question 13

What are chawls?

Answer 13

Old tenement buildings that are so overcrowded. They are frequently not maintained which means they can collapse

Question 14

What are squatter settlements?

Answer 14

When people make makeshift huts on land that belongs to other people or to government

Question 15

What % of squatter settlements are on private land?

Answer 15

50%

Question 16

How many people live on the streets (estimated)?

Answer 16

over 20000

Even they have to pay rent from local bosses who own the stretch of pavement

Question 17

What are problems with sanitation?

Answer 17

Instead of sewer system connecting toilets in each house so waste can be safely removed, people have to use streams and rivers running through the settlement

Question 18

What are problems with employment conditions?

Answer 18

There is no protection for workers
Hours are very long
Places where people work are often small, dark, hot rooms without ventilation to remove toxic fumes
Pay is extremely low - so many people want to do this work to earn some money

Question 19

What are problems with service provision?

Answer 19

Unable to provide housing

Unable to provide good water supply / sanitation