ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/23/2003 30 October 2003
Australian help to improve water and sanitation in India's North-East
Australia and India have signed an agreement on a project to improve water and sanitation services in the states of Meghalaya and Sikkim.
Australia's Acting High Commissioner to India, Ms Michelle Marginson, today signed an agreement with Mr Vivek Mehrotra, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, to implement the Gangtok and Shillong Urban Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation Projects in the presence of the Resident Commissioners of Sikkim and Meghalaya.
Australia will provide technical assistance to help the Governments of Meghalaya and Sikkim to plan for and deliver improved water and sanitation services, particularly to poor communities.
Ms Marginson said safe, clean drinking water was one of life's most precious commodities.
By improving basic services like water and sanitation, Australia is helping lay the groundwork for ensuring the poor can improve their economic prospects and participate more fully in society.
The project will develop sustainable approaches to water use for the benefit of future generations, said Ms Marginson.
She said it was particularly appropriate the project was commencing in the United Nations International Year of Freshwater, which recognised the vital importance of water to sustain life.
The Rs122-crore (A$ 39.4 million) seven-year project will start in late October 2003.It will be executed by a leading Australian consulting firm, Kellogg Brown and Root Pty Ltd, in partnership with the two State governments.
The project complements Australian assistance of Rs 9 crore (A$3 million) to the World Bank's Water and Sanitation Program for South Asia to facilitate water sector reform and improve services to poor and vulnerable communities across the South Asian region including India.
Australia has previously worked in partnership with Indian agencies and State governments to address water resource challenges in Bangalore, Hyderabad and West Bengal.
For further information, please contact Kerry Groves, First Secretary, Development Cooperation, at 26888223, extension 561.