Centre, ADB sign $50 million loan for water harvesting in Meghalaya

Shillong: The Centre and the Asian Development Bank Thursday signed a $50 million loan aimed at enhancing water security by constructing water harvesting systems to improve access to water and reducing community vulnerability against climate change impacts in Meghalaya.
The signatories to the loan agreement for the climate-adaptive community-based water harvesting project in Meghalaya were Juhi Mukherjee, joint secretary, department of economic affairs, Union ministry of finance and Mio Oka, country director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

After signing the loan agreement, Mukherjee stated that the project aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019, which seeks to achieve sustainable development, management and utilisation of the state’s water resources through a participatory approach, reduce vulnerability, and promote integrated water resource management.
“Beyond financing, ADB’s value addition will involve assisting the state in implementing the MSWP and providing guidance on integrating climate adaptation measures into water security plans. This includes designing water harvesting systems (WHS) to support agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, water supply, and other productive livelihoods for economic development,” Oka said. The project will help develop a statewide WHS master plan considering micro catchment areas and disaster risk management.