France’s AFD to help Himachal in delivering quality water to residents
TCN Service/Shimla
France’s development agency, Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) has tied up with the Himachal Pradesh government to deliver improved drinking water and sanitation services in five towns.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of Rs 817.12 crore project has been signed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri and country Director AFD Bruno Bosle on behalf of French Development Agency.
“The objective of the project is to develop better sewerage facilities in five towns of the state viz. Manali, Bilaspur, Palampur, Nahan and Karsog and to improve drinking water supply in Manali and Palampur towns,” a government official said.
“Under the project, Rs 612 crore would be provided by AFD, whereas the atate government would provide Rs. 204.85 crore,” said the Chief Minister.
The beneficiaries of the project would receive house service connections in these five cities and the sewerage treatment plant would be designed with the cutting-edge technologies, so that the effluent could be reused for agricultural and industrial purposes.
The project aims to improve the environmental condition of water sources, reduce water-borne diseases, manage quality sanitation facilities in accordance with local regulations and international best practices and bring financial sustainability to the drinking water and sanitation sector, he added.
“The government is committed to provide the best sanitation facilities and quality drinking water to the people of the State and this project would go a long way in achieving this goal,” said the Chief Minister.
