ADB injects $275-bn in urban infra

In a major booster to MP’s urban infrastructure, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will lend $275 million for the Urban Service Improvement Project, state government said in a recent statement that this will be used for improving urban services in 64 small towns in the Madhya Pradesh. Along with ADB’s loan, the state government will provide counterpart support of $124 million. The project will run for almost five years with an expected completion date of June 2022. Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, L B Sondjaja said that a key element of the project is the use of design-build-operate contracts to ensure better sustainability of the water service operation and financial viability. The project will develop water supply in towns, and integrated storm water and sewerage infrastructure in Khajuraho and Rajnagar area of the state.