New Delhi: The World Bank has approved loans totalling USD 680 million for three development projects in Assam aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving governance and enhancing education outcomes, the multilateral agency said on Wednesday.
The approvals were cleared by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors on Tuesday.
According to the Washington-based lender, the projects are designed to help the state better withstand extreme weather events, improve the delivery of public services and equip more than four million students with skills needed for future employment.
The largest component is the Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Roads Development Project, which will receive USD 350 million.
The project focuses on building climate-resilient road infrastructure, particularly in hilly areas, and is expected to reduce travel time and improve connectivity for about 190,000 people living in tribal and rural regions.
The plan also includes the development of transport and logistics hubs with facilities such as truck and container bays, bus and taxi bays, and electric vehicle charging points.
A second loan of USD 250 million has been approved for the Assam School Education and Adolescent Wellbeing Project.
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The initiative aims to improve learning outcomes for over two million primary school students and prepare another two million adolescents aged between 10 and 19 for the workforce through life-skills training and an enhanced curriculum, including multilingual education.
The remaining USD 80 million will fund the Assam Governance and Service Delivery Program, which seeks to strengthen public financial management, improve the allocation and use of public resources, enhance administrative services for citizens and businesses, and bolster the state’s data ecosystem.
The World Bank said all three loans carry a final maturity period of 16 years, including a grace period of three years.
