WB to grant more loans to Maharashtra

MUMBAI: World Bank on Thursday assured Maharashtra government that it would consider granting loans for its various projects like transformation of Mumbai and building infrastructure in the state.

World Bank President Robert B Zoellick gave this assurance after the government sought financial assistance from the Bank to the tune of $6 billion for the development of Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

The government has prepared a business plan of $60 billion which was presented before the World Bank group.

The government made a presentation before the World Bank group outlining the vision of Mumbai in the presence of chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh at his official residence Varsha.

The presentation described how it wants to transform Mumbai into a world class metropolis with a vibrant economy and a globally comparable quality of life for all its citizens.

The areas where the assistance was sought in the state included enhancing irrigation potential, development of modern urban infrastructure, provision of sustainable drinking water, strengthening and expanding rural health infrastructure etc.