India and ADB sign 91 million USD to improve water resources in Karnataka

On November 18, 2019, India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a 91 million USD agreement to improve water security of Karnataka. The loan will help to modernize the Vijayanagara Channel irrigation systems and also to increase the efficiency of Krishna river basin.

Highlights of the project

• The Karnataka Government will strengthen the basin institutions for Integrated and Sustainable Water Resources Management Investment Programme.
• The Programme plans to modernize about 442 kilometers of main distributaries in the Vijayanagara Channel network.
• The programme has two project loans. It will help Karnataka water agencies to roll out efficient river basin management plans.
  • The first project will modernize the irrigation system
  • The second project will strengthen water governance

Significance

• The programme will help to save 1,700 million cubic metres that can be used on additional 160,000 hectares of farm land
• The project will establish 30 water user cooperative societies. This will strengthen irrigation canals of the farmers.
• It will help to improve efficiency of 84% of state’s total water use.

Asian Development Bank

The Bank is on the foot steps of achieving prosperous, resilient, sustainable and inclusive Asia and Pacific. Its goal is to eradicate poverty. In 2018 alone, the bank provided a loan of 21.8 billion USD funding several projects in the region

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019