| Project Detail |
Project Development Objective
PDO Statement
20. The Project Development Objectives (PDOs) are to (a) improve passenger ferry infrastructure
and services in Assam and (b) improve the institutional capacity and framework for inland water
transport in Assam.
21. The PDO will be measured by seven PDO indicators given below. These indicators are further
detailed in Results Framework in section VI of this document.
Passenger Ferry Infrastructure and Services
• Ferry service hours available in a day - on project supported ferry routes (PDO 1)
• Percent women users of ferries during peak hours (PDO 2)
• User satisfaction (on access, safety, quality of services, facilities etc) disaggregated by gender
on project supported ferry routes (PDO 3)
Institutional Capacity and Framework
• Regulation of IWT operations in Assam strengthened (PDO 4, linked to DLI5 1)
• Unbundling public sector operations from industry regulations (PDO 5, DLI 5)
• Enhanced IWT sector capacity on safety and modern technologies (PDO 6, linked to DLI 2)
• Establishing an emergency response system including a search and rescue unit (PDO 7, linked
to DLI 3)
B. Project Components
22. The project is supported by an Investment Project Financing (IPF) of US$88 million, which
includes a financing of US$53 million based on achievement of DLIs. The project will support ferry
infrastructure and services (terminals and vessels), institutional reforms, consultancies/analytical
studies, training and capacity building, goods including information and communication technology
equipment, and development of software applications for safe and efficient management of the
sector. Details of the components and subcomponents are provided in annex 2.
23. The project activities are organized under the following four components collectively
intended to tackle the regulatory, operational, and infrastructure challenges of the sector.
Component 1: Institutional, regulatory and safety strengthening (estimated cost US$21 million)
24. This component will include the following:
a. Technical Assistance: (i) Carrying out technical assessments/studies to prepare an
integrated state-wide inland water transport (IWT) strategy and investment plan, to
mainstream inland water transport and promote multi-modal integration and last mile
connectivity; (ii) carrying out environmental and social impact assessments in relation to
inland water transport investments financed under the Project; (iii) carrying out studies on
weaknesses, institutional requirements and business plans for the IWT sector, to prepare
institutional reforms including basic legislation for the strengthening of Assam Inland Water
Transport Regulatory Authority (“AIWTRA”) to develop and enforce safety, environmental
and economic regulations for the IWT sector; (iv) unbundling shipping/ferry and terminal
operations in Assam by establishing and operationalizing the Assam Shipping Company
(“ASC”) and Assam Ports Company (“APC”), developing business plans therefor, and
providing technical assistance/guidance during the initial years of operations; and (v)
undertaking assessment on, and eventually strengthening, the institutional capacity of the Directorate of Inland Water Transport Assam (“DIWTA”) including establishing a new
hydrography unit, carrying out job-mapping exercises and developing sector competencies
(training and re-skilling) (US$11 million).
b. Safety Management: (i) Assessing, procuring and deploying navigations aids in the
Brahmaputra and Barak rivers to allow 24-hours/night navigation services in the most
trafficked routes/crossing points; and (ii) establishing a search and rescue organization,
piloting an emergency response system (including developing policies and procedures,
procuring equipment and setting up/supporting management and operation teams), and
improving existing systems for emergency preparedness for natural disasters and climate
change (US$10 million).
Component 2: Fleet safety improvements and modernization (estimated cost US$25 million)
25. This component will include the following:
a. “Jibondinga” incentive scheme: Implementing the “Jibondinga” incentive scheme
retrofitting of existing vessels and/or new vessel acquisition by private boat/ferry operators
through the provision of Matching Grants (US$10 million).
b. Procurement of New Vessels and Retrofitting of Existing Public Vessels: (i) Procuring
approximately twenty (20) passenger ferries for ASC, with capability for carrying motorcycles
and cargo, as well as providing longer haul services; (ii) retrofitting existing vessels operated
by DWITA and/or ASC; and (iii) repurposing old pubic vessels for the provision of alternative
(non-transport) critical public services (e.g. mobile clinics, schools, libraries, etc.) (US$15
million).
Component 3: Improvement in terminal infrastructure (estimated cost US$55 million)
26. This component will support the following:
a. Provision of Priority Terminals and Repair Facilities: Designing and constructing
approximately three (3) priority mid- to large-size terminals and repair facilities in congested
river crossings, as per standard modular designs for scalable infrastructure adaptable to rural
and urban areas and following the “working with nature” approach (US$40 million).
b. Provision of Smaller Terminals: Designing and constructing at least four (4) small and mainly
rural terminals, as per standard designs for modular and scalable infrastructure adaptable
to rural and urban areas (US$15 million).
27. Component 3 will provide standard designs for modular and scalable infrastructure that can
be adapted for other urban and rural ferry terminals. It also includes ancillary infrastructure such as
road access, terminal buildings, and other amenities for the differently abled, women, children, old,
and infirm.
Component 4: Project management support (estimated cost US$9 million) |
