HP: India signs pact with ADB to improve water supply and sanitation

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SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh: The Government of India inked a $96.3 million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to improve the supply of safe drinking water and sanitation services in Himachal Pradesh. The pact was signed by Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India on behalf of the Government of India and Takeo Konishi, Country Director, ADB in India.

Mishra noted that the move is in line with the Jal Jeevan Mission of India, a flagship scheme that aims to provide piped water to all rural households by the end of 2024. The pact will pave the way to improve existing piped water infrastructure and enhance institutional capacity to provide safe and sustainable drinking water solutions.

Konishi said, “ADB’s involvement in the project will provide water management best practices, strengthen institutional capacity, and guide tariff reform.” He further added, “these interventions will address the government’s aim of providing uninterrupted pressurised water supply to households, inclusive sanitation services, strengthening operation and maintenance for sustainable service delivery, and building capacity of relevant staff.”

As far as Himachal Pradesh is concerned, over 90 per cent of the rural population have access to piped clean drinking water, however, the existing water supply infrastructure needs to be revamped to maintain the essential water supply.

The project aims to connect over 3,70,000 residents across 10 districts of the state. Apart from that, the project will entail the construction of a 3000 km long water distribution network, 48 groundwater wells, 80 surface water intake facilities, 117 pumping stations and 109 water treatment plants. Additionally, a faecal sludge management and sanitation programme will be implemented as a pilot project in the Sirmaur district and the capacity building programme will be started for Jal Shakti Vibhag of the Government of Himachal Pradesh along with gram panchayat, village water and sanitation committee.