The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an additional $101 million loan to enhance the West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project, with a focus on expanding access to safe, sustainable, and inclusive drinking water services in rural regions. This new financing targets areas particularly affected by arsenic, fluoride, and salinity contamination, aiming to improve water quality and public health in the region.
The funding will support the development of alternative safe water sources in Purba Medinipur district and aid in preparing a new water supply proposal for salinity-affected South 24 Parganas and currently unserved areas of Purba Medinipur. The project builds upon an effective and innovative rural water service model that promotes sustainable infrastructure and equitable service delivery.
Initiated in 2018 with a $240 million investment, the project introduced several pioneering approaches, such as continuous piped water supply, 390,000 metered household connections, and the integration of smart water technologies like SCADA systems and GIS-based monitoring. These technologies enable improved system control and better water service tracking across regions.
To date, the project has achieved significant physical progress, including the construction of four water treatment plants, 79 storage reservoirs, and approximately 6,200 kilometers of distribution pipelines in the districts of Bankura, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur.
The new loan will also strengthen institutional capacity by implementing the Asset Management and Service Delivery Framework (AMSDF). This framework empowers local governing bodies, or gram panchayats, to take responsibility for managing water services, including metering, tariff setting, staffing, and operational sustainability.
ADB continues to support inclusive, resilient, and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific. Through innovative financing and partnerships, the bank addresses critical challenges such as infrastructure deficits, climate risks, and social inequality. Established in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.
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