The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Saturday announced a new programme of $452 million to support Assam to improve connectivity for over 1.8 million people living in rural areas, especially during extreme weather.
Assam is the largest state in northeast India and the gateway to Southeast Asia and South Asian markets. With its abundant natural resources like tea and spices, Assam has the potential to leapfrog to the next level of competitiveness in the global value chain.
However, it is frequently exposed to climate events such as floods, cyclones, and landslides. Currently, smallholder farmer communities and tribal settlements are not well connected to all-season bridges and roads, and this affects their lives and livelihoods.
The $452 million Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Programme aims to strengthen the resilience and management of roads and bridges to help people living in 1,739 villages gain round-the-year access to wholesale markets, schools, hospitals, and places of work.
As a result of better connectivity, savings of more than $82 million within the next six years are expected against the earlier costs for people to journey to these places.
The Programme will also connect almost 633,000 women-led textile and handicraft producers living within two km of roads or collection points. Electronic vehicles and logistics hubs set up through the Programme will help gain access to regional markets with reduced emissions.
“The Programme will support the government of Assam to attract private investment for quality jobs, increase farmers’ incomes and enhance value chains, thus promoting inclusive and diversified growth in the rural sector,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank’s Country Director for India.
The Programme will help to strengthen the Assam Public Works Roads Department’s financial and procurement processes using the state’s own systems and provide training to improve disaster risk management.
“In addition, it will help increase women’s participation by almost 20 per cent in jobs related to bridge design, construction and maintenance, as well as operating digital platforms at rural transportation hubs,” said Tesfamichael Mitiku, Anup Karanth, and B.K.M. Ashraful Islam, the Task Team Leaders for the Programme.
The $452 million Programme loan from the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will use the financing instruments of Program-for-Results and Investment Project Financing to link disbursement of funds directly to the achievement of results while providing technical assistance.
The programme loan has a maturity of 19 years with a grace period of 4.5 years.
Priority given to development of border villages in North Eastern states: Union MoS Dr. L Murugan
The Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L Murugan on Thursday arrived here at Agartala on a two-day visit to the state and laid emphasis on proper implementation of the flagship programmes of the Prime Minister.
MHA sanctioned another Tripura State Rifles battalion: CM Saha
An official of the Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the decision to create another TSR battalion was taken based on Chief Minister Manik Saha's proposal placed before Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent meeting in New Delhi.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks support from DoNER ministry for AIMS in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday attended the second meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Investment Promotion in the North Eastern Region chaired by the DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and sought support of the ministry for establishment of AIMS in Tripura.
Man held with stealing gold worth Rs 1 lakh while selling in jewelry shop
Alertness by a local jeweller and swift police action led to the arrest of a 24‑year‑old man who tried to sell stolen ornaments at SB Jewellers opposite Kali Bari in Bishramganj Madhya Bazar on Thursday afternoon.
Man found hanging in abandoned office
A sense of deep sorrow has gripped the Madhuban Jharjharia area under Amtali after the lifeless body of a young man was recovered from an abandoned building near the local electricity office on Thursday afternoon.
State making steady progress across all sectors: CM
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today said that solving the basic problems of the people is one of the goals of the present government and Tripura is moving forward in all areas including health, education and sports.
State Cabinet passes resolution congratulating PM Modi, armed forces for success of 'Operation Sindoor'
The Tripura State Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, extended its heartfelt congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Armed Forces for the successful execution of the anti-militancy mission, Operation Sindoor.
Maulana Azad National Urdu University cancels MoU with Turkish institute
Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) has announced the cancellation of its academic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yunus Emre Institute of Turkey in the wake of Turkey's support to Pakistan in the recent Indo-Pak conflict following the terror attack at Pahalgam.