ADB Provides $200 Million Loan for Solid Waste Management in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed a $200 million (approximately Rs 1,700 crore) loan to improve solid waste management and sanitation in 100 cities across eight states in India. This funding is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 – Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program.

Loan Agreement Details

The loan agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Finance Ministry, and Mio Oka, Country Director for ADB – India Resident Mission. The program aims to support the goals of the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Mission – Urban 2.0 by enhancing infrastructure for waste segregation, collection, and disposal.

Program Objectives

• Infrastructure Development: The support will upgrade and establish solid waste processing facilities, including bio-methanation plants, composting plants, managed landfills, material recovery facilities, and plastic waste processing facilities.
• Sanitation Improvements: The program will also fund the construction of community toilets and urinals, as well as the purchase of sweeping equipment.
• Climate and Disaster Resilience: The initiative will incorporate climate- and disaster-resilient features, gender equality, and social inclusion-responsive elements into urban services.

Implementation and Capacity Building

• Urban Local Bodies: The program aims to build the capacity of urban local bodies for effective waste management and sanitation.
• Peer Learning and Private Sector Engagement: It will encourage peer-to-peer learning and proactive engagement with the private sector.
• Annual Reviews: The initiative will include annual reviews and progress updates of city-wide solid waste and sanitation action plans.