Page 131 - Sugam Sarita

water and sanitation services in underserved regions. The initiative

aimed to strengthen infrastructural and institutional capacity,
particularly that of village communities, to make them more resilient
to natural catastrophes in the mountain state, which is prone to flash
floods, earthquakes, and landslides.

The southern state of Kerala has one of the greatest levels of rainfall in
the country, yet its undulating landscape drains most of the rainwater
into the sea. Rapid urbanisation across the state has resulted in
depleted water resources.

Since the early 2000s, the World Bank has worked with the state
government to ensure that rural residents have a consistent supply
of piped water in their homes at a cost that even low-income families
can pay. For the first time in their lives, Jalanidhi I (2000-2008) and

Jalanidhi II (2012-2017) helped deliver water into village homes by
placing local communities in charge of operating their own water
supply networks.

Continuous piped water delivery has been a pipe dream for India’s

rapidly urbanising towns. Most urban homes have access to water for
only a few hours per day, and typically for a few days per week. This is
especially detrimental to the poor, women, and children, who spend
time and money obtaining water for their daily requirements.

2. Karnataka Water Supply Improvement Project and
Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernization Project:

The southern state of Karnataka has now demonstrated that 24/7
water delivery in metropolitan areas is feasible, economical, and

sustainable. The World Bank-backed Karnataka Water Supply
Improvement Project assisted in piloting this approach in the three

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