Government inks $75 million loan with ADB to improve Urban Services in 4 Karnataka Towns

Union Government has inked $75 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program. Under it 24 x7 water supply will be provided in Karnataka’s four coastal towns of Kundapura, Mangalore Puttur and Udupi and improve sanitation infrastructure for Mangalore town. It will be tranche 2 loan agreement of this program.

Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management Investment Program

It was approved by ADB Board in 2014. It aims to improve urban water resource management in selected river basins in Karnataka through modernization and expansion of urban water supply and sanitation infrastructure. It also seeks to strengthen institutions to improve water use efficiency, water resource planning, monitoring and service delivery. Tranche 1 loan of $75 million from ADB has helped to strengthen urban water supply and sanitation services in three other towns of state viz. Byadagi, Davangere, and Harihar.
Significance
The investment program will support coastal towns in Karnataka to provide continuous piped water supply to people and promote efficient and sustainable use of water. It will also adopt information technology (IT) based smart water management system and undertake community awareness programs on water conservation and demand management. It will also help urban local bodies to become efficient and responsive urban water utility service provider.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2018