Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The World Bank (WB) will provide US$149 million for implementing a new project to improve stormwater and wastewater drainage and water services in the capital, Dhaka.

The WB delegates have completed the detailed planning for implementing ‘Dhaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project’, taken up by Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (DWASA).

“The estimated total cost of the proposed project is $165.7 million. The World Bank’s concessionary arm, International Development Association (IDA) will provide about $149.0 million. The government will cover the rest. DWASA will be the project implementing agency,” the WB said in a press statement in Dhaka on Sunday.

The delegates of the donor agency and DWASA also finalized the implementation arrangements for the project, which has three major components.

Firstly, the project will install selected stormwater pumping stations and rehabilitate selected canals to help improve drainage and minimize urban flooding.

It will also carry out rehabilitation, repair and expansion of priority investments in Dhaka city’s sewerage network and treatment plant to improve the urban environment.

“Last but not least, the project will support DWASA’s pilot expansion of water and sanitation services into selected Dhaka slums to provide services to the urban poor residing in the slum areas,” the WB noted.

BBN/SI/SI/AD-11August08-1:48 AM