Guwahati: The Government of India on Friday signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to avail of a $100 million loan to improve urban services and tourism facilities in the northeastern state of Tripura.
The signatories to the loan agreement for the Tripura Urban and Tourism Development Project were Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Nilaya Mitash, Officer-in-Charge of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.
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After signing the loan agreement, Mukherjee stated that the project would improve the municipal infrastructure and public services in urban local bodies (ULBs) along the main national highways in Tripura besides upgrading key tourism sites.
“The project will support the state as a gateway to the northeast region by developing tourist destinations along highways and by improving urban governance and financial sustainability through improved resource mobilisation and creditworthiness,” said Mr. Mitash.
He further said, “ADB support will also strengthen the capacity of ULBs for integrated planning, including climate and disaster resilience, and identification of community and private sector participation for tourism and marketing.”
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The project will upgrade urban water supply systems by installing 42 kilometers (km) of new transmission and distribution pipes, establishing four new water treatment plants, and improving 55 km of stormwater drains. It will improve 21 km of urban roads that will incorporate features that respond to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and the differently-abled.
To strengthen the delivery of urban services, the project will build the capacity of 12 urban local bodies on planning, infrastructure operations and maintenance, financial management, gender equality and social inclusion, and project management. It will also help the state government update its building regulations incorporating spatial planning and green building principles to ensure climate and disaster resilience.
Through this project, ADB will help upgrade tourist destinations, such as the Chaturdash Devata Temple, Kasba Kalibari, and Neermahal Palace, by improving the amenities, rooms, and landscaping, and making them more visitor- and gender-friendly destinations. It will establish a digital museum and a new adventure park.
A 10-year tourism business plan that will guide marketing, promotion, and attract the private sector will be developed, while the state’s tourism policy will be updated.