India Boosts Urban Water and Waste Management with Major Initiative

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new initiative to promote water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management in 100 large cities. This will be achieved through partnerships between the Centre, state governments, and multilateral development banks, focusing on sustainable and bankable projects.

In a significant move to tackle urban water and waste management, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a sweeping initiative aimed at 100 large cities. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, she revealed that these projects would focus on water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management.

The initiative will be developed in collaboration with state governments and multilateral development banks, ensuring the projects are sustainable and bankable. 'In partnership with state governments and multilateral development banks, we will promote water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management projects and services for 100 large cities through bankable projects,' Sitharaman stated.

An added benefit envisioned in the plan is the use of treated water for irrigation and the replenishment of local tanks, enhancing water resource management and agricultural efficiency in surrounding areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)