India and ADB Sign $200 Million Loan Agreement for Clean Cities Program
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India have signed a $200 million loan agreement to improve solid waste management and sanitation in 100 cities across eight states in India. This agreement is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0-Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program.
Key Figures
The agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.
Program Goals
The program aims to enhance sanitation and solid waste management infrastructure, including waste segregation, collection, and disposal. It will incorporate international best practices, new digital technologies, and climate- and disaster-resilient approaches.
Statements
Juhi Mukherjee stated that the program supports the objectives of the Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0. Mio Oka added that the program will strengthen women’s participation in sanitation and service delivery and harness private sector participation.
Facilities and Services
The ADB’s support will upgrade and establish solid waste processing and management facilities such as bio-methanation plants, composting plants, managed landfills, material recovery facilities, and plastic waste processing facilities. It will also support the construction of community toilets and urinals and the purchase of sweeping equipment.
Additional Support
ADB will provide an additional $3.15 million technical assistance grant to support program implementation, capacity building, and facilitate city-to-city partnerships.
Doubts Revealed
ADB -: ADB stands for Asian Development Bank. It is a bank that helps countries in Asia by giving them money for projects that improve their economies and living conditions.
Loan Agreement -: A loan agreement is a deal where one party lends money to another party, and the borrower agrees to pay it back later, usually with some extra money called interest.
Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 -: Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 is a program by the Indian government to make cities and villages clean by improving waste management and sanitation.
Waste Management -: Waste management means taking care of garbage by collecting, transporting, processing, and disposing of it properly to keep the environment clean.
Sanitation -: Sanitation refers to keeping places clean and hygienic by managing waste and providing clean water and toilets to prevent diseases.
Waste Segregation -: Waste segregation means separating different types of garbage, like plastic, paper, and food waste, so they can be recycled or disposed of properly.
Gender Equality -: Gender equality means giving men and women the same rights, opportunities, and treatment in all areas of life.
Private Sector Participation -: Private sector participation means involving businesses and companies in projects to help improve services and infrastructure.
Climate Resilience -: Climate resilience means being prepared for and able to handle changes in the climate, like extreme weather, to protect people and the environment.
