Himachal Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft negotiation package negotiated by the Urban Development Department with the World Bank and Department of Economic Affairs, Union Ministry of Finance, for funding Shimla water supply and sewerage services delivery program.
The project is aimed at improvement of WSS (water supply and sanitation) services in Greater Shimla area with financial assistance from World Bank with total financial outlay of Rs 1813 crore ($ 250 million). The cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur also authorized the Principal Secretary, Himachal Department of Urban Development, to finalize and sign the negotiation package with the World Bank. It was informed that out of Rs 1813 crore, the World Bank will provide financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1160.32 crore and rest of Rs 652.68 crore) will be borne by Himachal Government. The main components of the Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Project are augmentation of Shimla water supply from river Satluj with additional 67 MLD to meet the water demand upto year 2050, bulk water supply to Shimla peri-urban areas to meet the water demand of special area development authorities (SADA) Kufri, Shoghi, Ghanahatti and additional planning areas up to year 2050, 24X7 water supply to all domestic and commercial consumers within Shimla Municipal Corporation Area and improved sewerage services within Shimla Municipal Corporation Area.