World Bank extends ₹96,520 crore to Bangladesh for inclusive growth and climate resilience

Dhaka (The Uttam Hindu): The World Bank has approved three operations totaling approximately ₹95,000 crore (1.16 billion USD) to help Bangladesh enhance its health services, water and sanitation systems, and achieve greener, climate-resilient development. Abdoulaye Seck, World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, stated that these new funds would provide essential services such as health and water, while also laying the foundation for sustainable, clean, and climate-resilient development. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change and faces significant pollution challenges. The $500-million (approximately ₹41,600 crore) Second Bangladesh Green and Climate Resilient Development Credit will support reforms for the country's transition to green and climate-resilient development.

The $379-million (around ₹31,600 crore) Health, Nutrition, and Population Sector Development Program-For-Results will improve access to quality health and nutrition services and strengthen resilient health systems in Sylhet and Chattogram divisions. The $280-million (approximately ₹23,300 crore) Chattogram Water Supply Improvement Project will provide safe drinking water through new and rehabilitated piped connections to over 1 million people in Chattogram. The project will install about 200,000 new household water connections and improve sanitation services for about 100,000 people in low-income communities. This initiative is part of a World Bank regional program aimed at providing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services to 100 million people across South Asia by 2035. Additionally, the project will help the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) improve operational efficiency and financial sustainability while addressing issues such as high water leakage, metering inaccuracies, and illegal connections. It will help reduce water losses by installing new meters and establishing 46 Smart District Metered Areas (DMAs) for reliable water supply, leakage detection, and real-time tracking of consumption.