Urban poverty refers to the set of economic and social difficulties that are found in industrialized cities and that are the result of a combination of processes such as: the establishment of comfortable living standards, the increase of individualism, processes of social fragmentation, and the dualization of the labor market.

In recent times rapid growth in urban population in the developing nations has been accompanied by a parallel growth in the incidence of urban poverty. In India ‘urban poverty’ is a complex multidimensional problem as it exists within the context of several concurrent issues which are closely related to urban development. The living condition and environment of the urban poor are mainly characterized by high density of population, unhygienic shelter, poor quality of drinking water, inadequate sanitation facilities, poor drainage and solid waste disposal system. In many cases an important factor in increasing this urban poverty has been rural to urban migration and the phenomenon of urbanization to a large extent is ruled by the process of migration. In our country there is no consensus on the definition of poverty in terms of minimum per capita per month income and reliable income data at the household level is also not available. On approaching power decentralization from rural to urban context under 73^rd/ & 74^th Amendments of the constitution, the representation of the urban poor in the Municipal ward committee is not up to the mark or non functional.

Since income measures the potential consumption of the household or the individual, consumption expenditure is taken as the proxy measure of poverty for income in India. Although urban areas present real opportunities for poor people, they also create and feed the conditions within which poverty spreads. On the positive side, economic growth, which is partially driven by urban development, increases the incomes of poor people. In addition, cities have the resources to improve the conditions within which people live and work, and they create the context within which poor people can demand and obtain redress from political and bureaucratic systems. Urban population increases are in part fuelled by rural-urban migration as people seek new employment and livelihood opportunities in urban areas. Right Track works with them to uplift their living status through holistic approach that they can enjoy their lives with dignity. 

Right Track is engaged in addressing the issues of underprivileged and marginalized population living in agglomerations in urban and peri-urban area. People hailing from several parts of the state have gathered in and around the city of Kolkata, majority of them shifted from their origin in search of livelihood opportunity. They are living in extreme poor condition being denied of all sorts of civic amenities. Organization has multiple issue specific interventions addressing this urban poverty through capacity building of both men and women where they can have the ability to raise their voice. Being engaged with different occupational groups who are engaged in several unorganized labour sector organization is working on basic human rights, livelihood delving in the deep-rooted issues in a strategy of bridging the gap between service delivery mechanism and the respective beneficiaries.

Working with Homeless Population;

Extreme poverty and dearth need of livelihood compelled lakhs of people to move on to the city of Kolkata. People from rural areas of Bengal and also from adjacent cities started living in different corners without having basic civic amenities. They area living in Govt. land, beside railway tracks, under the bridge, in the pavements and sometimes in Hume pipes. These families are living here for years and sometimes for decades. Organization is rigorously working to ensure their basic rights of life; food, shelter, safe drinking water and necessary entitlements for accessing benefits from different state welfare schemes. Besides organizing regular awareness program among this cross section of population it has arranged several capacity building sessions so that they can raise their voice Infront of the appropriate authority vis a vis concerned departments can be informed and about their living status and become proactive in formulating policies for these homeless population. Organization has facilitated in formation of two people’s alliances namely Maheshtala Nabajagaran Mancha and Kolkata Nabajagaran Mancha. Several consultations and interfaces were arranged with govt. officials where members of these alliances highlighted their status and put demand for their basic rights.

Working with domestic workers;

Among the urban population of unskilled labour force engaged in several unorganized sectors there are huge number of women who are working as domestic labour in and around the city. They belong to extreme poor families where they are deprived and become victims of domestic violence and other atrocities. They are not safe in their work-place too. They poorly paid, tortured physically, mentally and sometimes become victim of sexual abuse. To uphold their issues and untold stories organization is working to ensure a dignified life of these women both within and outside the family and also at their workplace through arranging dialogues with stake holders, employers, duty-bearers where they shared their situation and approached for having benefits which are due for them. Capacity building sessions with detailing of rights and different schemes were conducted to train them to move forward with their issues and form a consortium which will be engaged in upholding their issues on a larger forum.

Partnerships;

Organization works with the core belief that partnership should be the basic essence of every intervention from micro level to macro level with the philosophy of ‘Leave No One Behind’. It helps in building a strong bonding and transparent understanding with the beneficiaries and donors. This partnership helped the organization in achieving its objectives at optimum level.

The Global Recycling Day is observed every year on the 18th of March to recognise the importance of recycling as a resource, not waste. The day strives to urge world leaders that recycling must be a global issue and encourage people to think resourcefully and not waste when it comes to the goods around us. Right Track has observed the day with 27 youths of different slums of Khidderpore Dock area at the local level to sensitize them for protection of environment through a Workshop, held on 18th March 2022 at SANJOG.  

Observing Worth Earth Day; It is observed with 60 Children of our Residential School of destitute at Vikramgrarh High School, Golfgreen, south Kolkata, on 22nd April 2022, to address the issue of save earth through sharing discussion with a presentation and group discussion detailing about the effect of Ozon Lyer, the need of reforestation / plantation & decomposition of garbage etc.