Dasra and NFSSM Alliance introduce a multilingual digital platform to strengthen evidence-based decision-making in sanitation
As India moves steadily towards its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the need for accessible, actionable, and evidence-driven knowledge systems has come into sharper focus.
Addressing this critical gap, Dasra with the NFSSM Alliance, has launched Sanitation.network—an AI-enabled knowledge platform designed to transform how sanitation data is accessed and applied across the country.
The platform arrives at a time when sanitation-related knowledge exists in abundance but remains scattered across institutions, formats, and geographies.
This fragmentation has often limited its practical use in policymaking, capacity building, and on-ground implementation.
Developed through years of collaboration between Dasra and the NFSSM Alliance, Sanitation.network aims to create a unified digital infrastructure that organises and contextualises sanitation knowledge for real-world applications.
The initiative directly addresses systemic challenges such as duplication of efforts, unequal access to information, and the disconnect between knowledge creation and implementation.
Currently hosting over 430 curated resources—including research reports, case studies, and toolkits—the platform serves as a one-stop hub for stakeholders across government bodies, academia, and development practitioners.
Its AI-powered conversational interface delivers role-specific insights, enabling users to access relevant information quickly and efficiently. Importantly, the platform supports over 15 regional languages, expanding its accessibility across diverse communities in India.
Speaking on the launch, Kaveri Dhavan, Associate Director (Urban Sanitation) at Dasra, highlighted that the sector’s challenge has evolved. “The issue is no longer the absence of knowledge, but the ability to access timely, relevant insights. This platform shifts the focus from knowledge creation to enabling its effective use,” she noted.
The platform was officially unveiled during the Dasra Philanthropy Week 2026, themed “Emerging Currents, Shaping Horizons.”
The event brought together philanthropists, civil society organisations, and sector experts to discuss the role of collaborative infrastructure in development. A key discussion focused on how artificial intelligence can transition from isolated pilot projects to scalable public infrastructure that benefits the broader ecosystem.
Dhruv Mitter, Associate Director (Urban Sanitation) at Dasra, emphasised the importance of long-term investments in shared systems. He noted that platforms like Sanitation.network can significantly enhance coordinated decision-making and strengthen the overall sanitation ecosystem.
By anchoring the platform within a collaborative framework like the NFSSM Alliance, the initiative aims to build collective capacity and ensure inclusive access to sanitation knowledge. It reflects a growing recognition that digital public infrastructure—when designed for shared use—can play a crucial role in improving governance and sustainability outcomes.
With sanitation continuing to be a cornerstone of public health and environmental resilience, Sanitation.network positions itself as a critical tool to bridge the gap between knowledge and action—supporting India’s journey towards cleaner, more equitable, and sustainable systems.