SHIMLA: World Bank sanctioned a development policy loan (DPL) worth Rs 292 crore ($40 million) for the Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Project at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Director, Economic Affairs, Government of India, on November 26, 2018.
An official spokesperson said that the total amount of the DAP loan worth Rs986 crore ($135 million) would be released for the project in three phases.
Under the project, Rs 366 crore would be provided for 75 MLD water, besides the rehabilitation of the Gumma and Giri water schemes. An amount of Rs 270 crore had been set aside for the 24×7 water supply scheme with water quality compliance.
Amount worth Rs 246 crore would be released for the extension of the sewerage network and Rs 104 crore would be utilised for the rehabilitation and capacity addition of sewerage treatment plants (STPs).
The state government fulfilled pre-requirements and set up an autonomous body — Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited, to act as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of the project. It would cater to water requirements of the state capital for 50 years.