Asian Development Bank backs project to strengthen infrastructure across four towns in Jharkhand.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $112 million loan to finance water supply infrastructure in four towns in the state of Jharkhand as part of the region’s Vision and Action Plan 2021.
The plan will see four water treatment plants constructed, with a combined capacity of 275 million litres per day, to provide clean drinking water that meet national drinking water quality standards. It will install 940km of waterpipe network to provide continuous water supply to 115,000 households, including those below the poverty line and other vulnerable groups.
The work is intended to improve the quality of life of urban residents through better quality urban infrastructure Hussainabad, Jhumri Telaiya, Medininagar, and Ranchi.
ADB principal urban development specialist for South Asia, Sanjay Joshi, said: “Water supply in Jharkhand is currently inadequate, with residents receiving only an average 3 to 4 hours daily of water supply. The project will ensure continuous and quality water supply, which will also improve the health and hygiene situation in the area, particularly in post-pandemic scenario.”
To ensure sustainability, the project will strengthen the capacity of urban local bodies for urban service delivery and governance. Staff and other state urban institutions will be trained on design and implementation of urban projects, which will cover various other aspects such as response to climate risks, inclusion of gender equality, and institutional development.
