CM inaugurates Rs 1,296-cr JICA piped water supply project in Purulia
Times of India | 18 August 2026
Kolkata: Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari on Monday inaugurated Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-backed West Bengal Piped Water Supply Project at Manbazar in Purulia, marking a major step towards expanding safe drinking water access in the region.
The project, developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,296.25 crore, is expected to provide safe piped drinking water to more than 84,500 rural households across Manbazar-I, Barabazar, Arsha, Purulia-I and Puncha development blocks, while also supplying water to Purulia Municipality.
The system will draw water from Mukutmanipur Reservoir on Kumari river and is aimed at addressing drinking water shortage in parts of Purulia. The project has been implemented by public health engineering department, under the guidance of Jal Shakti ministry.
Representatives from the embassy of Japan, JICA, the state govt, district administration, local bodies and other stakeholders attended the inauguration.
JICA India chief representative Takeuchi Takuro said the project reflected the strength of India-Japan development cooperation and JICA’s commitment to improving water supply infrastructure in India. He said reliable piped water would help improve public health, reduce the burden of water collection and support the social and economic well-being of rural communities.