The World Bank is considering providing a $1 billion loan to the Maharashtra government for improving rail services in the Mumbai metropolitan region, separation of agriculture electricity feeders from domestic and industrial feeders, water conservation, smart cities and for making farming climate resistant in the State.

On Tuesday World Bank’s, Chief Executive Officer, Kristalina Georgieva, told reporters that the Bank had a successful experience in associating with Maharashtra government resulting in tangible benefits to the citizens of Maharashtra.The loan of $1 billion has been discussed for direct financing and the Bank will also help the State in mobilising finances from other multilateral institutions. Also addressing the media, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, said that the State government had a positive meeting with World Bank officials were five presentations were made. Among the projects for which the funding has been sought is the critical third phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).

The World Bank CEO also travelled in a suburban local train between Churchgate and Dadar and spoke with women passengers to understand their problems and to look for opportunities to improve the public transport system in Mumbai. Georgieva said that she was worried as the doors of the rail coach did not shut automatically in suburban trains.

The safety of passengers is the biggest concern of the Bank and, therefore, its aim is to support the MUTP-III project, which will ensure a safe and comfortable journey, she said.

She said as far as implementing the MUTP-III was concerned, the Bank, the Maharashtra government and the Railway Ministry were on the same page.

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