India, ADB Sign $125 Mn Loan Pact to Boost Urban Livability and Climate Resilience in Assam
The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $125 million loan agreement to enhance urban livability and strengthen climate resilience in six district headquarters and Guwahati, Assam. The project is expected to benefit 360,000 residents through continuous metered water supply and upgraded stormwater management systems, while also advancing institutional reforms and urban governance.
Key infrastructure initiatives include the construction of six water treatment plants with a total capacity of 72 million litres per day and 800 km of distribution pipelines in Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Dhubri, Goalpara, Golaghat, and Nalbari. A real-time monitoring system will be deployed to maintain nonrevenue water below 20%.
In Guwahati, stormwater management in the Bahini Basin will be strengthened with flood diversion channels, upgraded drainage, and a nature-based retention pond to reduce flood discharge and improve groundwater recharge.
The project also envisions the establishment of the Assam State Institute for Urban Development in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, rollout of a GIS-based property tax database, digital water billing systems, and volumetric water tariffs to ensure financial sustainability and efficient service delivery.
With a strong focus on inclusion, the project will support women and girls through training for self-help groups in water operations, internships for young women, and school outreach on water, sanitation, and hygiene awareness.
