The Centre and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed a USD 50 million loan aimed at enhancing water security in Meghalaya.

Under the arrangement, a water-harvesting system will be constructed to improve access to water and reduce community vulnerability against climate change impacts.

The project will support the construction of 532 small water-storage facilities across 12 districts. These facilities will incorporate climate-resilient designs to capture and manage heavy rainfall and flash floods during monsoon season.

As per the agreement, the project will develop 3,000 hectares of command area to provide reliable irrigation areas for farmers. It will establish 50 weather stations for climate data gathering and monitoring, and micro-irrigation systems in Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi regions.

It will also pilot-test renewable energy micro-hydropower in three WHSs.

The project will help develop a state-wide WHS master plan considering micro catchment areas and disaster risk management. This will guide the creation of water security plans at the village level to be managed by the village employment councils, watershed management committees and water users’ associations.

Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, who was also the signing authority from Government of India, said that the project aligns with the Meghalaya State Water Policy (MSWP) 2019, which seeks to achieve sustainable development, management, and utilisation of the state’s water resources through a participatory approach, reduce vulnerability, and promote integrated water resource management.

Mio Oka, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB said, “Beyond financing, ADB’s value addition will involve assisting the state in implementing the MSWP and providing guidance on integrating climate adaptation measures into water security plans.”

“This includes designing water harvesting systems (WHS) to support agriculture, fisheries, horticulture, water supply, and other productive livelihoods for economic development,” Mio Oka added.