India signed agreements with ADB for projects in Uttarakhand and TN

Highlights:

• Recently, the Central government has signed two loan agreements for Projects in the state of Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu.
• The loan agreement of Rs 2,074 crore will be used for - affordable housing project in Tamil Nadu and water sanitation programme in Uttarakhand.
• Government and ADB signed a USD 150 million loan agreement to provide access to resilient, inclusive, and sustainable housing for the urban poor in Tamil Nadu.
• USD 125 million loan agreement was inked to improve access to safe & affordable drinking water supply as well as citywide inclusive sanitation services in Dehradun and Nainital of Uttarakhand.
• The affordable housing project is in line with government’s development priorities and policies on urban sector development, especially with the flagship programme PMAY-Housing for All (Urban). 
• This project was launched as rapid urbanization and growth in Tamil Nadu has led to housing shortfall for low-income households. 
• This project will help in providing access to affordable housing infrastructure and services to disadvantaged households. 
• It will also catalyze private sector investment in affordable housing.
• Number of housing units under the project
• The affordable housing project will be used to construct housing units in nine separate locations, through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board. 
• It will relocate around 6,000 households vulnerable to natural hazards to safer locations. State government of Tamil Nadu will invest a portion of ADB loan as equity into the Tamil Nadu Shelter Fund.

• Loan assistance for Uttarakhand project will address the need of upgrading urban services in fast-expanding capital city of Dehradun and Nainital. 
• Improved water and sanitation services under the project will help in promoting better hygiene practices will help in protecting people from future pandemic and epidemic diseases. 
• Under the project, 136 kilo-meters (km) of water pipe system will be constructed in a bid to replace defective water networks in South Dehradun for ensuring reliable & continuous water supply. 
• Water meters will also be installed across 5,400 households for supporting efficient water use and consumption billing.