HYDERABAD: The State Government has taken up with the World Bank a drinking water project to tap river water, particularly for the benefit of the flourosis affected villages.

The Government was expecting an assistance of Rs. 4,000 crores to 5,000 crores from the Bank, whose representatives recently met Minister for Rural Development D. Srinivas.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Srinivas said here on Thursday that he expected the World Bank to clear the project in seven to eight months.

He said that the World Bank officials were impressed with the project details. When grounded, it would be completed in three years in all districts, he added.

The Minister maintained that the Government was keen on the project as it considered exploitation of river water as a permanent solution to the flourosis problem in the State. Nalgonda, the worst affected district, had 690 habitations facing the problem.

The Government took steps in 593 habitations, leaving 97 habitations to be covered by the Rajiv Gandhi Technology Mission next year.

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