New Delhi, July 15; To strengthen the key irrigation and drainage system and improve water management in the Vennar Sub Basin of the Cauvery Delta p in Tamil Nadu, on Thursday, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $100 million loan agreement. The financing would help in strengthening the embankments of six major irrigation water channels and rehabilitate 13 irrigation pumping schemes in the Vennar system.
Mr Raj kumar, Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, Joint Secretary of multilateral institutions had signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of India with Mr L.B Sondjaja, Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission. The loan from ADB’s ordinary capital resources has a 25-year term. The Water Resources Department of the State of Tamil Nadu is responsible for implementing the project, which is expected to be completed by December 2020. The loan would support Tamil Nadu’s water resources professionals to manage resources better, and with greater involvement of the stakeholders they service, said Mr. L. B. Sondjaja. Communities would be involved in planning and delivery of water services. Flood forecasting and warning systems would be installed and a flood risks map drawn up to help communities respond more effectively to extreme events, Sondjaja further added.
A separate project agreement has been signed by Mr. V. Shanmugam, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, on behalf of the State of Tamil Nadu.
The Cauvery river basin has played as a critical source of water for agriculture, both within Tamil Nadu and its neighbouring states. The vast majority of the delta’s population is engaged in farming and fishing. The project aims to improve existing infrastructure and would provide flood protection and renewed access to irrigation, said Mr. Raj Kumar.
