The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, is lending the Indian government $191 million to upgrade and expand water and sewerage infrastructure in the northern state of Uttarakhand. This marks EIB Global’s first operation fully dedicated to India’s water sector, targeting improvements in both water supply and sanitation amid the state’s rapid growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.
The project is expected to benefit approximately 900,000 people, including poor households, through enhancements in critical water and sanitation systems. Planned measures include continuous monitoring to reduce water leaks, automatic meter reading, greater plant automation, real-time remote data collection, and new connections for underserved communities. The works are scheduled to be completed over the next five years. EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer highlighted that the improvements in clean water supply and modern wastewater treatment will positively impact public health, particularly for vulnerable households.
The initiative also aligns with the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which aims to strengthen key infrastructure worldwide. By extending water and sewerage connections to poor households, the project seeks to reduce the burden on women and girls, who often bear the primary responsibility for caring for family members affected by intermittent water supply and inadequate sanitation.
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