Japan grants Rs 128.14 bn loan for 9 Indian infrastructure projects

The Government of Japan pledged an Official Development Assistance (ODA) loan of approximately Rs 128.14 billion for nine projects spanning various sectors in India. The agreement's notes were exchanged between Vikas Sheel, representing the Finance Ministry on behalf of India, and Suzuki Hiroshi, the Ambassador of Japan to India. The nine projects, for which the ODA loan assistance was committed, include the following: the Dhubri-Phulbari bridge under the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 3) (Tranche II); NH 127B (Phulbari-Goeragre section) under the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 7); the Start-up and Innovation Promotion Project in Telangana; the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Construction Project (Phase 2); the Sustainable Horticulture Promotion Project in Haryana (Tranche I); the Climate Change Response and Ecosystem Services Enhancement Project in Rajasthan; the Medical College Hospital Establishment Project at Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Kohima; the Urban Water Supply System Improvement Project in Uttarakhand; and the Dedicated Freight Corridor Project (Phase 1) (Tranche V). The road network connectivity projects aim to enhance infrastructure development in India's North East region, while the Chennai peripheral ring road project aims to address traffic congestion and bolster connections to the southern part of the state. According to a statement from the Finance Ministry, the Nagaland project will contribute to the development of tertiary-level medical service delivery by establishing a Medical College Hospital, furthering the goal of universal health coverage.