Date:23/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/23/stories/2006032302860900.htm

Back Joining hands to improve sanitation

Our Bureau

New Delhi, March 22

The Governments of India, Japan and the US will work together to improve water and sanitation services in India. This was announced at the Fourth World Water Forum in Mexico City. The agreement to collaborate with India is part of the worldwide `US-Japan Clean Water for People' initiative, an endeavour to provide safe water and sanitation to the world's poor.

In India, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and USAID will work with the Ministry of Urban Development to help provide safe water.

USAID and JBIC have already started working with the Bangalore city authorities to provide clean water to over 1,00,000 households in around 368 slum settlements. JBIC will further provide financing to extend infrastructure to the slums. Also working in the outskirts of the city, the US-Japan partnership will provide clean water and sanitation services to 1.5 million residents.