World Bank announces support for Water Sector in Uttaranchal

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) The World Bank today approved a 120 million dollar credit to Uttaranchal designed to improve the effectiveness of rural water supply and sanitation (RWSS) services through decentralisation and an increased role of local governments and communities.

The Uttaranchal Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project aims to upgrade areas with no or partial coverage of water supply to full coverage with sustainable service, benefiting at least 1.2 million people, or 20 per cent of the rural population. The project will also improve sanitation in about 30 per cent of rural communities.

"Water-related diseases are a major health problem for the rural population in Uttaranchal, particularly for infants and children," said Mr Fayez Omar, Acting World Bank Country Director for India.

"This project will generate sustainable access to water and sanitation services, which in turn will help reduce water-borne diseases in underserved rural areas." The Union Government has developed the Swajaldhara guidelines, which spell out the basic principles for reform in the sector. This includes community participation in the planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance for the schemes of its choice.

The credit from the International Development Association, the World Bank's concessionary lending arm, carries a 0.75 service fee, a 10-year grace period, and a maturity of 35 years.

UNI GS PV BST1946