Japan to extend Rs. 2,557-crore aid to India

• Japan is to extend an aid of Rs.2,557 crore (Yen 46.401 billion) to India for three projects through its Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) window. The projects pertain to cleaning the Yamuna in the national capital, crop diversification promotion in Himachal Pradesh and biodiversity conservation and greening in Tamil Nadu.
• Under the Yamuna action plan project, the aid is to be utilised to improve the water quality of by augmenting sewage treatment capacity through renovation, rehabilitation and replacement of the sewerage system.
•  As for the Tamil Nadu biodiversity conservation and greening project, the soft loan has been extended to improve ecosystem and tree plantation outside the recorded forest areas while the assistance for the Himachal Pradesh project is to promote sustainable crop diversification in the state by development and rehabilitation of minor irrigation facilities and access farm roads.
• The current aid quantum is part of the 2010 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) ODA loan package.