- Key Takeaways:
- ADB will invest $10 billion (Rs 83,000 crore) in Indian urban infrastructure over five years.
- Funding will target metros, water supply, sanitation, waste management, and affordable housing.
- Rs 250 crore in technical assistance set aside for planning and execution.
- Move aligns with India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” mission.
- ADB has supported 110 Indian cities to date through similar projects.
In a move that signals strong international faith in India’s development roadmap, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $10 billion commitment to transform the country’s urban infrastructure by 2029.
ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa, during his recent visit to New Delhi, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and laid out a comprehensive investment plan aimed at supporting cleaner, more livable, and efficient Indian cities.
“We believe India’s urban story is central to its overall growth. This partnership is about enabling cities to deliver better services to people and meet future challenges,” Asakawa said.
The proposed $10 billion (roughly Rs 83,000 crore) will be spread across multiple areas of urban development, including:
- Metro and rapid transit systems
To cut congestion and improve daily commute times in major urban centers. - Affordable housing and slum redevelopment
Targeting growing needs in mid-sized and fast-expanding cities. - Clean water and sanitation
Ensuring basic services reach under-served neighborhoods and informal settlements. - Waste management and pollution control
Introducing modern systems for solid waste and wastewater treatment.
These efforts, ADB noted, are designed not just to build infrastructure—but to enhance lives.
Urban Challenge Fund: A New Model for Investment
To support this rollout, ADB will channel funds through a new Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), encouraging state governments and private players to collaborate.
Alongside the financial investment, the bank is offering Rs 250 crore in technical assistance to help cities prepare viable project proposals and build institutional capacity.
ADB is also working with Indian authorities to streamline approval processes and scale public-private partnerships that can deliver real impact.
A History of Quiet Support
While this $10 billion announcement may be the most visible expression of support, ADB’s presence in India’s urban sector is not new. The bank currently manages 27 active urban projects worth Rs 42,000 crore, touching over 110 cities across 22 states.
In Surat, for instance, ADB helped expand metro lines and sewage systems that significantly reduced waterborne diseases and daily commute time. In Agartala, a sanitation overhaul supported by the bank turned open drains into underground pipelines and improved hygiene in public markets.
Supporting the 2047 Dream
India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision — a pledge to become a developed nation by its 100th year of independence — requires more than high GDP growth. It calls for inclusive, sustainable urban spaces that can serve the 600 million citizens expected to live in Indian cities by 2030.
ADB’s investment aligns with this broader vision. It’s not just about building flyovers and tunnels. It’s about helping people live safer, healthier, and more dignified lives.
