Manila, Philippines (BBN)- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is helping National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) come up with effective ways of allocating money to upgrade the infrastructure system in districts in and around New Delhi.

The Japan Special Fund, through ADB, is extending a US$700,000 grant to lay the groundwork for the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) Project. The Indian government is providing an assistance of $175,000 for the project that spans 14 districts in one of India’s key economic hubs, according to an ADB press statement.

 

The area’s population has risen sharply over the past decade as India’s economic boom attracted many migrant laborers in search of work.

However, the water supply, sewerage and sanitation infrastructure has not kept pace and urban centers have become overcrowded with many slum areas. The whole area covers almost 34,000 square kilometers.

The aim of the project is to improve the quality of basic urban services in the NCR; to reduce continued migration to the capital, New Delhi; to develop the capacity of smaller towns in the region to absorb a greater share of the population; and to accelerate economic growth.

BBN/SI/SS/AD-24September08-2:06 AM (BST)