A major World Bank-backed initiative to bring safe drinking water and sanitation to rural Punjab is progressing on schedule — but remains underfunded by the provincial government.
The $430 million Punjab Rural Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Project is designed to ensure fair access to clean water, improve sanitation, and help reduce child stunting in underserved communities.
Mid-Term Review Gives Positive Marks
During a mid-term review in April, the World Bank assessed both the project’s objectives and its implementation as “satisfactory.” The program received a boost in June when the Cabinet appointed a new Board of Directors, following the previous board’s term expiry.
Expansion Plans and Progress So Far
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently cleared the way for the project to expand to 1,800 additional villages. Engineering design contracts were signed in June, and piped water systems are now contracted for 251 villages.
Of these, 160 villages already have functioning water services, and another 40 are nearing completion with over 80% of work done. However, several sites are facing delays due to technical and administrative issues.
A second batch of contracts — covering 16 more villages — is scheduled to be awarded in August.
Funding Still Short of Commitments
Despite the steady rollout, the World Bank says government contributions have not yet reached the levels originally agreed upon. Officials expect the shortfall to be addressed later this month through allocations in the new budget.
The funding gap, if prolonged, could slow the momentum of a project that is crucial for public health and rural development in Punjab.
