India loses Rs 24,000cr annually due to lack of toilets, hygiene: World Bank-Dec 21, 2010-

India loses Rs 24,000cr annually due to lack of toilets, hygiene: World Bank

TNN, Dec 21, 2010, 12.03am IST

NEW DELHI: The Indian economy loses nearly $54 billion (around Rs 24,000 crore) annually due to lack of toilets and poor hygiene, a World Bank study said on Monday.

In a study 'Economic Impact of Inadequate Sanitation in India', conducted by its South Asia Water and Sanitation unit, the multilateral body said premature deaths, treatment for the sick and loss of productivity and revenue from tourism were the main factors behind the significant economic loss.

"For decades, we have been aware of the significant impacts of inadequate sanitation in India," Christopher Juan Costain, the World Bank's head for South Asia's water and sanitation programme, told reporters. The cost of treatment for diseases due to poor hygiene was estimated at $38.5 billion (over Rs 17,000 crore).

"The report quantifies the economic losses to India, and shows that children and poor households bear the brunt of poor sanitation."

The Planning Commission had earlier estimated that although 49% of the country's urban population has access to sanitary excreta disposal facility, only 28% have sewerage system (partial without treatment facility in many cases) and 21% only low cost sanitary latrine facility. About 60% of the generated solid waste is collected and disposed of, of which only 50% sanitarily.

World Bank officials estimate there are 4.5 lakh deaths out of 57.5 crore cases of diarrhoea every year and a large segment of the country's 1.20 crore population defecates in the open.

Costain said the Indian economy loses $260 million (over Rs 1,000 crore) in tourism revenues due to poor sanitation as tourists are reluctant to come to India due to lack of sanitation facilities. "We all hear about people worrying over Delhi Belly, but tourists are reluctant to come here due to health concerns like this and this is losing India money," Constain said.