The absence of a focussed urban development programme in India is beginning to show. Official figures released recently, reveal that the availability of essential services in urban areas still leaves a lot to be desired. The growing pressure of population, on account of migration, is making matters worse.Data released recently by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) show that while the provision of essential services in rural areas has improved over the years, the spread of services like provision of drinking water and electricity supply has not been as good in urban areas.Eleven per cent of urban households did not have access to sufficient drinking water throughout the year in 2002. In urban slums and squatter settlements, the position is worse, with 18 per cent of households not having sufficient supply.