The World Bank approved two projects worth US$515 million to India, consisting of a US$450.60 million loan for the Andhra Pradesh (AP) Water Sector Improvement Project and a US$64.15 million loan/credit for the Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management Project.
The AP Water Sector Improvement Project is designed to strengthen the State’s institutional capacity for multi-sectoral planning, development and management of its water resources. It seeks to improve irrigation service delivery on a sustainable basis to increase productivity of irrigated agriculture in the Nagarjuna Sagar Scheme (NSS), a large multipurpose water project which generates hydro power, supplies water for industries, rural and urban drinking water and irrigation water to about 0.9 million hectare area. 
R S. Pathak, World Bank Sr. Irrigation Engineer and project team leader said, “This project will contribute to the rehabilitation and modernization of NSS, and restructuring of water sector institutions in AP state to improve their capacity to effectively manage their water resources and delivery of irrigation services. In combination with strengthened agricultural support service delivery and improved marketing arrangements, these interventions will enhance farmer’s ability to increase the productivity of water in the project area.”
The Capacity Building for Industrial Pollution Management Project is designed as a pilot in response to the abundance of contaminated areas located across India. According to a recent Government of India report, there are about 36,000 industries in the country which generate about 6.2 million tons of hazardous waste annually. Such toxic dumps have contaminated soil and groundwater, affecting the health of local communities.
The bank has also approved two projects worth US$372 million to India, consisting of a US$222 million IDA credit for the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project and a US$150 million IDA credit in additional financing for the ongoing Karnataka Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project. The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project will help build the appropriate institutional arrangements, capacity and advanced knowledge systems needed to implement the national program.