Centre signs $96.3 mn loan with ADB to improve water supply in Himachal

Tags: State News

The Asian Development Bank and the Indian Government on 22 August signed a 96.3 million dollar (about Rs 769 crore) loan agreement to provide safe drinking water and improve water supply and sanitation services in Himachal Pradesh.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• This project is in line with the objectives of Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide piped water to all rural households by 2024.

• This loan has been given by ADB under the Himachal Pradesh Rural Drinking Water Improvement and Livelihood Project.

• More than 90 percent of the rural population of the Himachal Pradesh has access to drinking water, but the water supply infrastructure is old and in a dilapidated condition, resulting in poor quality of service.

• Under this ADB project, 75,800 households in Himachal Pradesh will be connected to this service and 370,000 residents in ten districts will get uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water.

• Under the project, water supply infrastructure will be improved and institutional capacity will be strengthened in Himachal Pradesh.

• In this way safe, sustainable and inclusive rural water supply and sanitation services will be ensured.

Aims of the project :

• The project aims to build 48 groundwater wells, 80 surface water facilities, 109 water treatment plants, 117 pumping stations and 3,000 km of water distribution pipelines.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) :

• It is a regional development bank established on 19th December 1966.

• The ADB currently consists of 68 members, 49 of whom are from Asia and the Pacific and 19 from outside.

• It envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable Asia and Pacific region.

• It seeks to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.

• It assists its members and partners by providing loans, technical assistance, grants and equity investments to promote social and economic development.

• Its headquartered in Manila, Philippines.