Asian Development Bank Grants $350 Million Loan To Improve Piped Water Supply And Sanitation In Urban India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 350 million policy-based loan to improve urban services in India.

The loan supports the government’s efforts to accelerate universal coverage of piped water supply and improved sanitation under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 and provide affordable housing to all, including poor, urban migrant and industrial workers, under the flagship mission Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).

The program will benefit the urban poor, including disadvantaged, economically weaker sections and low-income groups.

“This loan supports the government’s agenda in transforming cities into economically vibrant and sustainable communities, continuing ADB’s long-term engagement with India to improve basic urban services delivery in various states,” said ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist for South Asia Sanjay Joshi.

“Efforts to improve urban water supply, sanitation, and affordable housing as well as performance-based fiscal transfer will help the country accelerate reforms in urban service delivery and COVID-19 recovery initiatives,” he added.

ADB will provide knowledge and advisory support to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in program implementation, including monitoring and evaluation.

It will also help select low-income states and urban local bodies to implement policy reforms, prepare investment plans, and provide recommendations on cross-cutting issues like climate change, environmental and social safeguards assessment, and gender equality and social inclusion.