ADB approves $115.8m loan to strengthen resilient urban services in Narayanganj

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $115.8
million loan to enhance environmentally sustainable and resilient urban services
in Narayanganj City Corporation in Bangladesh.
The Narayanganj Green and Resilient
Urban Development Project will upgrade drinking water supply, modernise
drainage systems, and expand green public spaces.
It will also strengthen
institutional capacity in NCC and among local communities. The project is
expected to benefit at least 400,000 residents, support the government's
efforts to ease congestion in Dhaka, and reinforce governance and service
delivery in one of Bangladesh's major urban growth centres, according to an ADB
press release.
"Narayanganj is central to Bangladesh's urban transformation. As
urbanisation accelerates and environmental risks intensify, strengthening urban
services is both a development and economic imperative," said ADB Country
Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong.
"Investments in reliable water
supply, resilient drainage, and inclusive green spaces-combined with stronger
institutions-will enhance productivity, support economic growth, advance
environmental sustainability, and contribute to long-term human capital
development," he added.
The project will significantly
improve water supply efficiency and reliability by reducing nonrevenue water to
below 20% through the replacement and expansion of 230 kilometres of pipeline
network, installation of metered household connections, and adoption of
district metered area systems.
The project will also introduce
digital technologies, including supervisory control and data acquisition and
strengthen online billing and revenue collection systems.
NCC's water supply capacity is expected to increase from 113 million litres per
day to 162 million litres per day through the installation of new tube wells,
rehabilitation of the existing water treatment plant, and upgrades to existing
wells.
To improve resilience to extreme weather events, reduce flooding, and enhance
groundwater recharge, the project will raise the share of surface water across
NCC to 51% and develop 22 kilometres of drainage infrastructure using
nature-based solutions.
The project will also construct
inclusive green parks and rehabilitate a playground to improve livability and
reduce urban heat. NCC will be responsible for the long-term operation and
maintenance of these facilities.
ADB is a leading multilateral
development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across
Asia and the Pacific.
Working with its members and
partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative
financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality
infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69
members, 50 from the region.
















