Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective
Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. However, many low and middle income countries, such as India, continues to face significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), i.e., access to clean water and sanitation. Despi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | World Development Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772655X25000266 |
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| author | Selvaraj Rajendrakumar D. Mavhaire S. Shimly Dil Bahadur Rahut N. Tharanidevi V.S. Ramachandran Raja Rajendra Timilsina |
| author_facet | Selvaraj Rajendrakumar D. Mavhaire S. Shimly Dil Bahadur Rahut N. Tharanidevi V.S. Ramachandran Raja Rajendra Timilsina |
| author_sort | Selvaraj Rajendrakumar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. However, many low and middle income countries, such as India, continues to face significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), i.e., access to clean water and sanitation. Despite enormous initiatives taken by India, issues such as groundwater depletion, water pollution, and sanitation gaps persist. Population growth, urbanisation, and industrial expansion have put pressure on water resources, reducing water quality and sanitation services. This paper assesses the key barriers and drivers influencing India’s efforts and on the way forward to achieve the global 2030 Agenda. The present study follows the PRISMA methodology approach, combining secondary data, policy reviews, case studies, and government reports to assess the progress, barriers, and future outlook for SDG 6 in India. The key findings revealed that India's major drivers to SDG 6 are substantial progress in toilet construction,water supply expansion through government missions, technological breakthrough, public awareness campaigns, and public-private partnerships. Key barriers to achieve SDG 6 include inadequate wastewater treatment capacity, over-extraction of groundwater, rapid population growth, the adverse effects of climate change on water availability and sanitation infrastructure. Strengthening regional institutions, developing climate-resilient infrastructure, and innovative financing models could accelerate progress towards SDG 6. Additionally, the study recommends water and sanitation courses in the school curriculum and policy reforms, could help in realizing SDG 6 by 2030. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef665b39b8dc4db18b267668a52e7da1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-655X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | World Development Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef665b39b8dc4db18b267668a52e7da12025-08-20T03:30:04ZengElsevierWorld Development Sustainability2772-655X2025-12-01710022810.1016/j.wds.2025.100228Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspectiveSelvaraj Rajendrakumar0D. Mavhaire1S. Shimly2Dil Bahadur Rahut3N. Tharanidevi4V.S. Ramachandran5Raja Rajendra Timilsina6Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore 641112, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, India; Corresponding authors.Amrita School for Sustainable Development, Amritapuri 690525, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, IndiaDepartment of Sciences, Amrita School of Physical Sciences, Coimbatore 641112, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, IndiaAsian Development Bank Institute, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, Japan; Corresponding authors.Department of Food Science, Amrita School of Physical Sciences, Coimbatore 641112, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, IndiaCentre for Environmental Studies, Amrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore 641112, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, IndiaAsian Development Bank Institute, Chiyoda City, Tokyo, JapanAccess to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental requirement for sustainable development. However, many low and middle income countries, such as India, continues to face significant challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), i.e., access to clean water and sanitation. Despite enormous initiatives taken by India, issues such as groundwater depletion, water pollution, and sanitation gaps persist. Population growth, urbanisation, and industrial expansion have put pressure on water resources, reducing water quality and sanitation services. This paper assesses the key barriers and drivers influencing India’s efforts and on the way forward to achieve the global 2030 Agenda. The present study follows the PRISMA methodology approach, combining secondary data, policy reviews, case studies, and government reports to assess the progress, barriers, and future outlook for SDG 6 in India. The key findings revealed that India's major drivers to SDG 6 are substantial progress in toilet construction,water supply expansion through government missions, technological breakthrough, public awareness campaigns, and public-private partnerships. Key barriers to achieve SDG 6 include inadequate wastewater treatment capacity, over-extraction of groundwater, rapid population growth, the adverse effects of climate change on water availability and sanitation infrastructure. Strengthening regional institutions, developing climate-resilient infrastructure, and innovative financing models could accelerate progress towards SDG 6. Additionally, the study recommends water and sanitation courses in the school curriculum and policy reforms, could help in realizing SDG 6 by 2030.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772655X25000266Water governanceWater and sanitationPolicy reformsClimate sanitationWater financePublic-private |
| spellingShingle | Selvaraj Rajendrakumar D. Mavhaire S. Shimly Dil Bahadur Rahut N. Tharanidevi V.S. Ramachandran Raja Rajendra Timilsina Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective World Development Sustainability Water governance Water and sanitation Policy reforms Climate sanitation Water finance Public-private |
| title | Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective |
| title_full | Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective |
| title_fullStr | Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective |
| title_short | Drivers and barriers towards achieving SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all - an Indian perspective |
| title_sort | drivers and barriers towards achieving sdg 6 on clean water and sanitation for all an indian perspective |
| topic | Water governance Water and sanitation Policy reforms Climate sanitation Water finance Public-private |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772655X25000266 |
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