This initiative is part of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Sustainability, Hygiene, and Resilience (Sector) Project, which seeks to improve the city's livability by reducing exposure to waterborne and vector-borne diseases and addressing flood risks.
Project Overview
The project is a continuation of ADB's 25-year partnership with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), focusing on making Kolkata a more livable city through integrated investments. These efforts aim to enhance urban services, operational efficiency, institutional effectiveness, and long-term sustainability. The project will construct 84 kilometers of combined trunk and secondary sewerage and drainage pipelines, 176 kilometers of lateral pipelines, and 50,000 household sewer connections. Additionally, it will include the construction of a sewage treatment plant and five pumping stations, benefiting over 277,000 residents.
Key Objectives
- Improving Urban Infrastructure: The project will develop climate- and disaster-resilient urban services and systems, covering unserved areas of the KMC. This includes constructing essential sewerage and drainage infrastructure to accommodate future increases in rainfall intensity.
- Enhancing Institutional Capacity: The project will support KMC in developing a comprehensive IT-based asset management system, enhancing property tax revenue, and expanding the early flood warning system. It will also focus on institutionalizing gender mainstreaming within KMC.
- Promoting Gender Equality: The project will establish a gender equality cell, develop a five-year action plan, and support women's employment through skills training and internship programs.
Rationale and Impact
Kolkata, one of India's most populous cities, faces significant challenges due to inadequate drainage and sewerage systems, leading to urban floods and unhygienic conditions. The project aims to address these issues, which are exacerbated by climate change, by improving urban infrastructure and services. This will not only enhance the city's resilience to climate change but also improve health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
The ADB's $200 million loan is a crucial step towards transforming Kolkata into a more sustainable and resilient city. By addressing the city's infrastructure challenges and promoting inclusive growth, the project aims to unlock Kolkata's latent potential and improve the quality of life for its residents.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation Sustainability, Hygiene, and Resilience (Sector) Project
