1. Introduction

Darjeeling, a picturesque hill town in the Eastern Himalayas, is renowned for its scenic beauty, including tea plantations, timber, and tourist attractions. Originally a British sanatorium, Darjeeling, known as the ''Queen of Hills,'' now faces significant challenges in water and sanitation services due to a dramatic increase in its population and tourism.

2. Historical Context and Population Growth

• Historical Infrastructure: Darjeeling''s water supply system, established by the British between 1910 and 1915, was designed for 10,000 residents. The current population of approximately 118,805 (as of the 2011 Census) has outgrown this infrastructure.
• Population Pressure: The rapid growth in population and tourism has strained the city''s municipal services, especially water and sewage systems.

3. Infrastructure and Environmental Challenges

• Terrain and Access: The city’s uneven landscape results in homes being accessed via stacked stairs and narrow paths, complicating infrastructure development.
• Integrated Utilities: Electric wires and water pipelines are often intertwined, demonstrating the city''s struggle to balance utility services amidst challenging conditions.
• Waste Management Issues: Improper disposal of household waste into stormwater drains (jhoras) exacerbates the problem, impacting both waste management and environmental health.

4. Sanitation and Waste Management Problems

• Public Toilets: Many community and public toilets lack essential facilities such as clean seats, septic tanks, and reliable water supply, leading to waste entering open drains and downstream water bodies.
• Waste Accumulation: The mismanagement of solid waste has resulted in significant waste accumulation, particularly impacting scenic locations like RockVille Garden.

5. Current Water Supply and Management

• Water Sources: The city relies on natural springs and rainwater, but the aging British-era water supply systems are insufficient to meet current demands.
• Tourism Impact: The influx of tourists has further stressed the existing infrastructure, causing severe traffic congestion and putting additional pressure on water and sanitation systems.

6. Government Initiatives and Potential Solutions

• Central Schemes: Programs such as the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Swachh Bharat Mission are aimed at improving water supply and sanitation practices.
• Community-Based Solutions: Initiatives like ''Jal Dharo-Jal Bharo'' promote rainwater harvesting, and organizations like Samaj facilitate community-driven water management and maintenance.

7. Recommendations for Improvement

• Governance and Policy Alignment: Align local, state, and central policies to encourage stakeholder participation and effective governance practices.
• Innovative Financing: Explore innovative financing options, including Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), incentive-based funding, and leveraging funds from the 15th Finance Commission for infrastructure development.
• Technology and Innovation: Invest in state-of-the-art monitoring tools, adopt innovative technologies, and scale existing solutions to improve service delivery and sustainability.
• Planning and Evaluation: Develop metrics and feedback mechanisms to guide policy planning, enhance resilience, and prevent corruption.
• Research and Capacity Building: Focus on human resource development through continuous training, gender considerations, knowledge sharing, and public education campaigns to promote safe sanitation practices.

8. Conclusion

Darjeeling faces significant challenges in managing its water supply and sanitation services due to historical infrastructure limitations and rapid urban growth. By implementing the recommended strategies and leveraging both government initiatives and community efforts, the city can address these challenges and enhance its resilience and sustainability for the future.