The Asian Development Bank has approved a 350-million US dollar loan to improve services in cities across India. The loan supports the policies established by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to accelerate the universal coverage of piped water and improved sanitation under the national program Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, according to a statement from the bank. The loan also supports the provision of affordable housing to all, including poor, migrant and industrial workers.
“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,” commented ADB Principal Urban Development Specialist for South Asia Sanjay Joshi.
ADB will provide knowledge and advisory support to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs throughout the program implementation. It will also help select low-income states and urban local bodies to implement policy reforms, prepare investment plans, and provide recommendations on issues like climate change, environmental safeguards assessment and social inclusion.
