ADB approves loan worth Rs 17.35 billion for drinking water supply project in West Bengal

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan worth Rs 17.35 billion ($245 million) for the West Bengal Drinking Water Sector Improvement Project. The project aims to provide safe, sustainable and inclusive drinking water services to about 1.65 million people in three districts – Bankura, North 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur. The project is being implemented at an investment of Rs 24.7 billion ($349 million) which will be funded by ADB and a grant of Rs 212.33 million ($3 million) from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, financed by the Japanese government. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government will provide Rs 7.5 billion ($106 million) for the project. ADB will also administer a grant of Rs 141.56 million ($2 million) from the Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund. The project is expected to be completed by June 2024.