India secures $400 million ADB loan for sustainable urban development

The central government has signed a $400 million policy-based loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to support urban infrastructure development, service delivery enhancement, and governance efficiency. The agreement, part of the Sustainable Urban Development and Service Delivery Programme's sub-programme 2, focuses on investment planning and reforms at state and urban local body levels. Aligned with the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0, the program aims for universal access to water supply and sanitation, water conservation, sewage recycling, and integrated urban planning reforms. The initiative also emphasizes capacity building for urban local bodies to strengthen legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks.