World Bank Supports Rural Water and Sanitation Services in Karnataka
The Indian State Government of Karnataka will increase rural communities' access to improved and sustainable drinking water and sanitation services through a US$151.6 million World Bank credit for the Second Karnataka Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project.
Worldwide, more than one billion people lack access to safe water, and nearly two billion do not have safe sanitation contributing to over three million deaths annually from avoidable water-related diseases. In India, water-related diseases are a major health problem-particularly for infants and children. And for women and children, fetching water remains one of the most arduous and time-consuming daily tasks. Improving access to water and sanitation services of the rural population, therefore, results in multiple health and economic benefits. Despite the impressive statistical coverage of provision of drinking water facilities in rural areas, there is a great deal of concern about both the quality and quantity of water reaching those who do have access and about the sustainability of investments. In addition, the level of environmental sanitation in rural areas is extremely low.
The project will be implemented in eleven districts of northern Karnataka. The project area includes rain-fed and mostly arid region of the state, which also has a larger proportion of the state's poor and socially disadvantaged people. The project is expected to directly benefit about four million people. In addition, the program will also be specifically targeted to meet the special needs of about 200,000 people in tribal communities. Women would be the primary beneficiaries through timesaving in collecting water, better health from more and cleaner water, improved sanitation and better hygiene practices.
As an expression of their commitment to participation and ownership in the scheme, the local government and the beneficiaries will contribute to the capital costs of the facility improvements. The users will finance 100 percent of the operations and maintenance cost of the services. The Gram panchayats (village government) will be responsible for planning, procurement, construction and operation and maintenance of facilities and for management of investment funds. The Gram Panchayats will empower user groups represented by Village Water and Sanitation Committees to perform the above functions. NGOs and private sector consultants will play an important role in providing technical, management and social support to the village communities and also build local capacity in the process.
The US$151.6 million equivalent interest-free credit is provided by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary lending affiliate and has a 35 years to maturity and a 10-year grace period. Total project costs are US$193.4 million. The remaining funding will be contributed by the Government of Karnataka (US$20.7 million), local government (US$10.1 million) and local communities (US$11 million).
