Microfinance and water markets in Delhi’s urban periphery

This paper examines the neoliberal shift in urban waterscapes through a case study of microfinancing borewell digging in Delhi's Savda-Ghevra resettlement colony. It explores the intersections between state policies, market mechanisms, and community responses in addressing water insecurity. The study reveals how resettlement policies aimed at creating a “world-class” Delhi have disconnected marginalized communities from essential services like water. In response, a water market has emerged, with microfinance institutions playing a key role in financing borewell construction. While microfinance offers access to water, it operates within existing social and economic constraints, raising questions about its philanthropic mission. The research highlights the complex dynamics of empowerment and exploitation within the microfinance market, the ecological impact of unregulated borewell digging, and the incomplete transition from citizens to consumers in the context of water provision. This case study contributes to understanding neoliberal urban transformations and their impacts on marginalized communities, underscoring the need for inclusive and sustainable approaches to urban development and water provision.