By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 8 May: Uttarakhand has achieved success in project negotiations with the Government of India, Uttarakhand Government, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for infrastructure projects worth Rs 1910 crores. The project documents are now set to be signed in June 2025, after which the tender process will commence.
Today, negotiations were held between the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the authorities regarding projects for Pithoragarh, Sitarganj, Rudrapur, and Kashipur under the Uttarakhand Urban Area Development Agency. The EIB agreed to finance projects estimated at Rs 1900 crores.
Under this proposed EIB financing, drinking water and sewerage projects in Pithoragarh, as well as drinking water projects in Sitarganj, Rudrapur, and Kashipur, will be undertaken. The Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) have already been prepared.
Virtual negotiations were held between Aparna Bhatia from the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Maximilian from EIB, and Senior Secretary Chandresh Kumar from the Uttarakhand Government. Officials from the Department of Economic Affairs stated that all previously submitted DPRs from USDA had been monitored, approved, and shared with EIB, which has now granted its consent for financing the projects. Both Department of Economic Affairs and EIB praised USDA for its meticulous preparation.
Chandresh Kumar, Programme Director, USDA, reminded that Pithoragarh is a key border town in the state, and providing drinking water and sanitation facilities to every resident is crucial. He stressed that fulfilling basic needs enhances the Standard Living Index, a vital factor in the state’s progress. He assured that USDA remains committed to ensuring the timely completion of projects and providing necessary facilities to citizens.
During the virtual meeting, Additional Secretary Finance Ameeta Joshi, Additional Programme Director Vinay Mishra, Finance Controller Birendra Kumar, Vaibhav Bahuguna, and experts Rajiv Kumar and Amitab Basu Sarkar were present on behalf of USDA.
