It is estimated that the number of illegal shanties has grown from 400 in 1995 to over 15,000 in 2010.

"In the mid 1800′s the British rule of India declared certain tribes to be criminal despite individual action. With the reprieve of British command, these Indian tribes were brought back to society…or so the government will tell you. The people will tell you otherwise. They aren’t supported, they aren’t acknowledged, they have no birth certificates, no access to aid, no right to homes…no right to live. Actually, there is no record of certain tribes, as if they were wiped out of civilization with a giant pink eraser.

Living in a slum is their only option and all they know. The slum has one, maybe two toilets…in the entire slum. There are no showers, running water consists of taps sporadically spread through various alleys in between buildings. The houses are constructed of makeshift materials and extended families cram into one room.

Often, the children sleep outside for only a few hours before going to work, school and more often than not, to the streets to try and support their family.

Simply because of a criminal label placed onto them in years that no one can physically recall, they are typecast for life. They are still viewed as criminals, they are considered untrustworthy. You don’t speak to them, you don’t acknowledge them, you don’t help them."

These are the inhabitants of Ganpat Patil Nagar.

A baseline survey conducted by the NSVK IGP Department found that 70% of families in this area have only one adult earning money. There is an average of 5 people per family. The average monthly income per capita is 1,934 Rs (below $37USD/month). The average monthly rent is 907 Rs and the average deposit given to "owner"(illegal) is 5,022 Rs. "The standard of living somewhere between tragic and non existent."

70% of the population live in houses