India: Advanced Project Preparedness for Poverty Reduction- Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening for the Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program (Subproject 15)

Water and other urban infrastructure and services - Urban water supply

Outcome: Enhanced capability of ULBs to undertake projects and provide urban services

Progress: The TA Letter of Agreement was signed by the Government in December 2011. The consulting firm was hired in December 2012. Based on discussion between ADB and EA, the terms of reference of the consultant was revised in view of the latest status of sector reforms in Assam.

The Inception Report was already submitted by the consultants in February 2013 outlining the activities to achieve the key outputs as per the revised terms of reference. The five key outputs of the consulting firm are as follows:

Output 1. Capacity Building on improvement of municipal services as a part of establishing Guwahati Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Drainage Board (GMWSSB)

Output 2. Creation of a Knowledge Centre for disseminating sector related information and safeguards compliance

Output 3. PPPs and outsourcing in the context of project components

Output 4. Management Information System to monitor the project operating and maintenance post construction

Output 5. Development of a strategic direction note, that is City Sanitation Plan, focusing on septage management (Septage Management Plan for Guwahati)

Subsequently, during the last review mission, further details on TA implementation was discussed with the consulting team and variations were agreed to facilitate and improve the outputs. The interim report is currently prepared by the consultant.