A $1.5 billion loan has been approved by the World Bank for the clean India campaign for supporting the government in its efforts to ensure all citizens in rural areas have access to improved sanitation and end the practice of open defecation by 2019.

The use of loan will be for Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Support Operation Project.

According to the World Bank statistics, out of 2.4 billion people who lack access to improved sanitation globally, more than 750 million live in India with 80% living in rural areas.

Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director for India has said that “One in every ten deaths in India is linked to poor sanitation. And studies show that low-income households bear the maximum brunt of poor sanitation”.

He further said that “This project, aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Swachh Bharat initiative of the government, will result in significant health benefits for the poor and vulnerable, especially those living in rural areas”.

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