India: Andhra Pradesh Urban Water Supply and Septage Management Improvement

OBJECTIVE

The overall project objective is to provide safe drinking water through piped water supply to 3.3 million people in Andhra Pradesh, and to improve service levels and strengthen sustainable service delivery.

DESCRIPTION

The proposed project will include investments in water supply infrastructure which comprises of construction of intakes at raw water source, raw water transmission mains, water treatment plants, clear water transmission mains, treated water storages, distribution networks and household service connections in 50 ULBs in Andhra Pradesh. The project also includes investments in sanitation and drainage works in five pilot project ULBs. In few project ULBs, the partial existing infrastructure will be rehabilitated and augmented to be used with the newly created infrastructure. To maximize economic benefits, enhance public health security, and ensure a safe environment, it is essential that the investments in water supply and sanitation services be carried out as “one” integrated solution. The project will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 covers 21 ULBs and Phase 2 will comprise of the remaining 29 ULBs.

PROJECT FINANCING

For more information about project financing, please review the project summary.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

The project has been screened and reviewed with reference to the AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP). The project has been assigned Category “A” in accordance with the ESP and Environmental and Social Standards (ESS). The anticipated environmental and social risks and impacts of the project, implemented across 50 ULBs, are related to land acquisition, Indigenous Peoples (Scheduled Tribes), physical displacements and resettlement of both land owners and encroachers. Other temporary and reversible risks are envisaged during the construction of the water intake sources, water treatment plants, clear water transmission mains, treated water storages, and distribution networks. As required by the Bank’s ESP for Category ‘A’ projects, an ESMF has been developed for the entire project comprising of 50 ULBs. The ESMF has a generic Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The ESMF provides guidance on preparation of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) for the ULBs and develop location specific ESMPs. All environmental and social risks and their mitigation measures has been identified and documented in the ESMF. To address issues of land acquisition, physical and economic displacements, either of temporary or permanent nature, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) has been formulated. To address the potential impacts on Scheduled Tribe populations a Tribal Peoples Planning Framework (TPPF) has been developed. A multi-tier GRM will be set up along the vertical hierarchy of the administration up to the apex body at the state level. All the E&S documents, i.e., ESMF, TPPF and RPF have been disclosed in the APUFIDC website following a Public Consultation with the representatives of the ULBs selected under Phase 1 of the project.