This book investigates how globalization and neoliberal reform policies have fundamentally altered the governance and delivery of urban water supplies in India. Govind Gopakumar, an expert in urban infrastructure and technology, examines the intersection of international policy mandates and local administrative realities. By analyzing specific case studies of water reform, the author argues that the shift toward public-private partnerships and market-oriented management creates complex, often contradictory outcomes for urban residents. The text provides a critical framework for understanding how global economic pressures are translated into concrete changes in municipal water infrastructure.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of urban infrastructure in the Global South. Scholars frequently cite the book for its detailed analysis of how international policy frameworks interact with local governance structures in India.