The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been working towards improving the condition of water in India
Globally, India ranks 120th among 122 countries in WaterAid’s water quality index and the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) of NITI Aayog has confirmed that 70 percent of India’s water supply is contaminated.
These are the facts that show how difficult the challenge of water supply in this country is. In order to solve the shortage issue of the water supply and sewerage system, the government has formulated “Clean India Mission: Swachh Bharat Mission” and “Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)” in 2014, to promote the establishment of these infrastructures in the major cities.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been working towards improving the condition of water in India, through both water supply and sewerage treatment projects. In this context, JICA observed World Water Day to lay impetus on supplying safe drinking water and mitigation of water resources pollution.
JICA is committed to improve India’s water quality and has extended Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans of over 722 billion Japanese Yen (approximately Rs 46,000 crore) towards Water and Sanitation Projects across the country including Agra, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Delhi amongst other major cities. Through these projects, JICA has supported water supply for 30 million people in India.
35 ODA Loans, 4 Grant Aids and 12 Technical Cooperation’s have been extended for the water and sanitation sector in India. On World Water Day, celebrated on 22 March, JICA strengthens its resolve to achieve the targets of SDG-6 in India, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.