India: World Bank approves the national Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project

The World Bank has approved the India Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (ICRMP) for implementation in Orissa.

Phase I of the project, estimated at $ 247 mn, may be implemented between 2010 and 2015 after the appraisal.

ICRMP was initially planned for 13 states but only Orissa and Andhra Pradesh could complete the formalities successfully.

According to Orissa State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA), which also is the nodal agency for the project, the World Bank in a recent communique expressed satisfaction over quality and readiness criteria of the project so that it could be launched next year. The WB approval to the Phase I includes Orissa as well as AP components.

Earlier this month an appraisal mission of World Bank had visited the State to review the preparedness and its report has been accepted.

Under ICRMP, Orissa proposed 149 cyclone shelters, six shelter-cumgodowns, 143 approach roads and saline embankments measuring 156.9 km at a total cost of Rs 576 crore. Similarly, last mile connectivity aiming at strengthening of mobilebased communications through GSM and CDMA technology in 978 remote villages located within a radius of 5 km of the coastline comes under the project.

While both the cyclone shelters and approach road components are proposed to be implemented by the Rural Development Department, saline embankment component will be executed by Water Resources Department. The project would be funded in 75:25 ratio by the Centre and the State.