An agreement for credit of US$ 360 million (equivalent) from World Bank for the Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project Phase-II was signed here yesterday by Shri Nilaya Mitash, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr.Onno Ruhl, Country Director, World Bank on behalf of the World Bank.

Similarly the Project Agreement was signed by Shri Deepak Singhal, Principal Secretary, Department of Irrigation on behalf of the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

The Objective of the project is to support the State Government on capacity building of Water Users Association (WUA), rehabilitation and modernization of Irrigation and Drainage systems, rehabilitation of dams, development of Basin River planning strategies, groundwater studies, knowledge base and flood management systems. The Project’s Development objective is to (a) strengthen the institutional and policy framework for integrated water resources management for the entire State; and (b) increase agricultural productivity and water productivity by supporting farmers in targeted irrigation areas.

The project has six main components:

• Strengthening of State Level Water Institutions and Inter Sector Coordination

• Modernization and Rehabilitation of Irrigation and Drainage Systems

• Consolidation and Enhancement of Irrigation Institution Reforms

• Enhancing Agriculture Productivity and On-Farm Water Management

• Feasibility studies and Preparation Activities for the Next Phase

• Project Coordination and Monitoring.

The closing date for the project is 31 October, 2020.

Credit agreement for Uttar Pradesh water sector supports institutional strengthening and increased agricultural water productivity. A credit agreement was executed to finance the Uttar Pradesh Water Sector Restructuring Project Phase II, aiming to build Water Users Association capacity, rehabilitate and modernize irrigation and drainage systems and dams, and develop basin planning, groundwater studies and flood management systems, with development objectives to strengthen the institutional and policy framework for integrated water resources management and to increase agricultural and water productivity in targeted irrigation areas.