PEPP Special Seminar (November 5th 2026) – Prof. Kazuki Motohashi
2026/09/29
2026/11/5 (Thur.)
Speaker: Prof. Kazuki Motohashi ( Hitotsubashi University)
Chair: Prof. Vuong Dihn Tuan Nguyen
Time: 16:45~18:15
Format: Onsite 3B203
Title: Gendered and Distributional Impact of Scaling Water Access : Evidence from Tap Water Policy in India
Abstract: Improving water access can reduce the burden of time spent on water collection and enhance child health. However, most evidence comes from small-scale interventions, leaving unclear how benefits are distributed between advantaged and disadvantaged groups when programs are scaled to fill regional or national coverage gaps. We examine the gendered and distributional impacts of India’s universal tap water policy during the early phase of its nationwide rollout. Exploiting temperature shocks that affect water demand, we find that the policy reduces water collection time, particularly for women and marginalized caste groups. Yet, using district-level variation in the timing of the policy rollout, we also find a short-run increase in child mortality, concentrated among these marginalized groups. Our results suggest a quantity-quality tradeoff in scaling water infrastructure.
