Cost structure of water supply system in Kolkata: analysis of Kolkata Municipal Corporation budget

Water supply in Kolkata Municipal Corporation is primarily dependent on river Hoogly. River Hoogly supply almost 80 per cent of total water supply, in terms of surface water. The rest 20 per cent is met up from ground water source. This duality regarding source of water supply is affecting Kolkata’s urban water supply system in every respect. Cost structure is also got affected from this duality. There is no homogeneity of cost structure across the whole KMC. It varies from borough to borough. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how the duality in water supply source is determining the cost expenditure of a typical borough. This paper works as a background exercise for further analysis of determination of cost of water supply in Kolkata.