3 TN cities to deploy $125-mn ADB loan for improving urban services
India and ADB inked a deal for a loan of $125-mn loan
Three cities in the southern state of Tamil Nadu will soon be able to complete the development of climate-resilient sewage collection and treatment facilities, as well as drainage and water supply systems, thanks to an agreement inked between the Union government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) As per the deal, ADB will provide the government with a loan of $125 million to see these projects get underway.
The three cities where the projects will be undertaken are Coimbatore, Madurai, and Thoothukudi. The loan will be paid in three tranches, as per the agreement for the Tamil Nadu Urban Flagship Investment Program, signed by Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and Hoe Yun Jeong, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
Approved by ADB in 2018
This loan is the third and the last tranche of the $500 million multi-tranche financing facility for the programme which had been approved by ADB in 2018. The loan approval was to build priority water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure in strategic industrial corridors across 10 cities in the state.
The Union government believes that the ADB loan will help in making sure that universal access to basic water and sanitation services is a reality. The government will also work towards improving resilience against floods in the project target areas. Significantly, these cities form Tamil Nadu’s famed industrial hubs.
ADB, by way of the current financing, has extended support in the development and betterment of urban services in the state of Tamil Nadu. Fresh approaches like build and operate modality, automatic meters for bulk water users, and real-time monitoring through supervisory control and data acquisition systems are being deployed.
Projects in Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Madurai
In Coimbatore, the ADB funding will support the development of two sewage treatment plants with 529 km of sewage collection pipelines. Besides, it will be made use of in the installation of 14 pump and lift stations, and the construction of 14 km of sewage pumping mains. Meanwhile, in Thoothukudi, the money will go into the development of a climate-resilient storm water drainage system.
The third city of Madurai will use the finances for ensuring the commissioning of 813 km of new water supply distribution pipelines that will connect 163,958 households to 115 newly established district metered area with smart water features to reduce nonrevenue water.
