World Bank Approves 250 Million Dollar Loan for JK Flood Recovery
Project
NEW
DELHI: Multi-lateral lender World Bank today approved USD 250 million loan for
Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project for reconstruction of flood-affected
public infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
It
will also strengthen the capacity of state government to respond and better
manage natural disasters in future, World Bank said in a release.
The
project will be funded by credit from World Bank’s concessionary –International
Development Association (IDA).
The
loan has a maturity of 25 years, including a 5 year grace period.
A
continuous spell of rains in September 2014 had caused Jhelum, Chenab and Tawi
rivers, their tributaries and many other streams to flow above the danger mark
which had severely affected livelihoods in the state.
Due
to the unprecedented heavy rainfall, the catchment areas, particularly low
lying ones, were flooded for more than two weeks, while Jhelum breached its
banks at several places.
“This
region is highly vulnerable to natural disasters that can push millions into
poverty. In addition to reconstruction, which includes reconstruction of roads,
bridges and public infrastructure, the project will also help the region be
better prepared for the future,” said Onno Ruhl, World Bank Country Director in
India, in the statement.
“The
challenge is to build smarter, so that they do not undermine the fragile
eco-system. It will incorporate lessons from previous national and global
post-disaster recovery projects to ensure that recovery is targeted, effective
and more resilient to future disasters,” he added.
The
recovery project will focus on 20 districts — Anantnag, Baramula, Budgam,
Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian, Srinagar, Jammu,
Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Rajauri and Udhampur.
It
will help rebuild damaged public buildings – hospitals, schools, higher
education buildings, fire stations, and selected block and district offices.
“It
will restore and improve connectivity disrupted by reconstruction of damaged
roads and bridges. The infrastructure will be re-designed to withstand
earthquake and floods as per the latest official design guidelines,” it said.
The
project will also focus on disaster risk mitigation and strengthen the capacity
of government entities in managing disaster risk.
It
will help in enhancing preparedness, and achieving resilient recovery through
preparation of a Hydro -Meteorological Resilience Action Plan.
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