Despite all their efforts, the majority of cities in India have been unsuccessful in meeting the sanitation needs of the poor. Today, one of the main challenges they face in this sector is to develop innovative approaches, alternative to the centralized provision of sanitation services, and do this in partnership with the communities of users. This note describes the positive experience of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai in implementing the WB-assisted Slum Sanitation Program in partnership with the communities of slum dwellers, and draws lessons.