The World Bank has approved a loan of USD 426 million for a new project to improve water security in Bengaluru. The project, called the Karnataka Water Security and Resilience Programme, will help more than four million people in the city, officials said.

The programme will also help control flooding in Bengaluru by bringing 183 lakes in the city back to life. These lakes work like natural sponges during heavy rainfall, soaking up excess water, the press release said.

Kristoffer Welsien and Anup Karanth, who are leading the project team, said, "This will also help communities through early warning systems and improved responses to extreme weather by strengthening the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre."

The World Bank's Country Director for India, Auguste Tano Kouame, added, "It will mobilise USD 5 million in private capital. This will improve efficiency, replace ageing water pipes, and tap the private sector to create innovative tools like smart water meters." He also said the programme will help raise the income of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board.

The programme will also connect more than 100,000 households to the sewerage system. It will also support the building of nine new Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). These plants will stop sewage water from flowing into lakes and drains.

Treated wastewater will be used again for industries and to refill groundwater in Greater Bengaluru.

The loan has been provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and comes with a 20-year repayment period, including a five-year grace period.

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