ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/28/2005 25 November 2005
Australia’s High Commissioner visits Sikkim
The Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr. Pawan Chamling and the Australian High Commissioner to India, Mr John McCarthy, today jointly announced the successful conclusion of the Australian-assisted Gangtok Water Supply and Sanitation Project at a Project Coordination Meeting held at Chintan Bhawan at Gangtok.
The High Commissioner also formally handed over to the Government of Sikkim five solid waste collection trucks and eight pick-up vans funded by the Australian Government. Speaking on the occasion, Mr McCarthy said he was pleased that this Australian Government initiative has helped bring high quality international and national expertise to address Gangtok’s water and sanitation problems.
Mr McCarthy also visited a number of project sites, including Arithang and P.N.G School, where water and sanitation improvements have been undertaken under this AusAID-funded project.
The project, which commenced in December 2003, has helped build the capacities of the Sikkim Government water and sanitation agencies, implemented many improvement activities in Gangtok jointly with local communities and has prepared a plan for city-wide improvements.
Mr. McCarthy reviewed progress of another Australian-assisted project, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), to improve citrus production in the State. During his three-day official visit, the High Commissioner will also formally inaugurate a project office being established in Gangtok by one of Australia’s leading engineering consulting firm, SMEC (Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation).
The High Commissioner also met the Sikkim Governor, Mr. V Rama Rao, Chief Minister Pawan K. Chamling and Chief Secretary Mr. N. D. Chingapa to discuss the plans for the sustainability of the Gangtok Water and Sanitation Project and possible business opportunities for Australia’s companies in the State.
For further information, please contact Andrew Adzic, Head (Development Cooperation), Australian High Commission at 51494460.