The Indian city is a behemoth and has been lumbering forward on a set ofstaid laws laid down at, or even before, Independence. The evolution of theIndian city remained at a slow and unhindered pace for decades, when suddenly alittle ushering in of urban reforms, a loosening of restrictive controls, sawthe hidden potential of the cities let loose with an alacrity and speed thatsoon seemed unstoppable. We now see city administrations at a loss to tap theseunleashed forces to their maximum capacities, and today we are witness to moreand more urban governance manifest itself in its absence rather than itspresence. Weak and vacillating governments abdicate responsibilities and powers,and institutions such as the judiciary have to step in and execute tasks andissue orders for even simple and mundane duties like clearing the roads ofcattle.