CHAPTER-III
APPRAISAL REPORTS OF MAJOR PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES
COSTING Rs.100 CRORES OR MORE
DEHRADUN
The ICFRE is implementing World Bank funded project namely Forestry Research & Education and Extension Project (FREEP). FREEP is mainly a research capacity building project for ICFRE. The main objectives of the projects are:
The project is designed as the first phase of a long-term process of improvement in India’s forestry research system. It will improve the standard of forest education and research staff in public and private sector organisations involved in forest management. Further, it provides for training of specialists within the country and overseas. Emphasis has been laid on to the development of socio-economic experiments necessary for the implementation of the new Forest Policy.
The Project commenced in September, 1994 and was to be terminated during December, 1999. Extension for one year upto December, 2000 was granted, followed by further extension of one year, upto December, 2001.
The total outlay of the Project, including its extended period, is Rs. 189.709 Crore, against which an amount of Rs. 181.609 Crore has been spent.
The India Eco-development Project was conceived as a Pilot Project with the World Bank assistance to conserve bio-diversity through Eco-development. An Indicative Plan was drawn up for the eight sites, which was financed by UNDP. This Plan was discussed by Pre-Appraisal Missions of the World Bank and on that basis the work of preparing the detailed India Eco-Development project was taken up.
The eight sites were Buxa Tiger Reserve (West Bengal). Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand), Nagarhole National Park (Karnataka), Periyar Tiger Reserve (Kerala), Pench Tiger Reserve (Madhya Pradesh), Gir National Park (Gujarat), Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan) and Similipal Tiger Reserve (Orissa). Similipal was, however, dropped later on due to certain activities relating to relocation which was considered by World Bank as violative of their directive. Now the project is in operation in the remaining seven sites.
World Bank declared the Project effective from 27.12.1996 However, the implementation of the project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting held on 14. 10.1997. The project is for a period of five years. The project took off only in the last quarter of 1997-98. The completion date is 31.12.2001 and closing date is 30.06.2002. Thus the five-year period of project falls from financial year 1996-97 to 2001-02.
The objectives of the project are to conserve biodiversity by addressing both (a) the impact of local people on the protected areas and (b) the impact of the protected areas on the local people, and envisages to improve the capacity of Protected Area Management to effectively conserve biodiversity and support collaboration between the State and the local communities in and around ecologically valuable areas.
The major components of the Project are as under:
The Mid Term Review of the project was conducted by the World Bank Mission in April-May,2000. Keeping in view the progress of the project which is due for completion on 31-12-2001, the World Bank Mission has reduced the targets of the project. The details of original and revised allocations to be financed are as under:-
Original Revised
|
(i) |
Loan from IDA |
Rs. 122.10 crores |
Rs. 81.63 crores |
|
(ii) |
Grant from GEF Trust |
Rs. 87.98 crores |
Rs. 69.69 crores |
|
(iii) |
Government of India |
Rs. 42.10 crores |
Rs. 36.43 crores |
|
(iv) |
Project States |
Rs. 22.53 crores |
Rs. 23.80 crores |
|
(v) |
Project Beneficiaries |
Rs. 20.22 crores |
Rs. 17.45 crores |
|
Total |
Rs. 294.93 cr. |
Rs. 229.00 cr. |
The expenditure on the project is to be met out of Government funds and then claimed as reimbursement from the World Bank. The expenditure incurred against items (i) to (iii) upto 31-10-2001 is Rs. 129.34 crores, against the total revised allocation of Rs. 187.75 crores..
(Rs. in Crores)
|
S.No. |
Name of the Scheme |
Pattern of Assistance |
9th Five Year Plan Revised Outlay |
|
1. |
Integrated Afforestation & Eco-development Project(IAEP). |
100% by Government of India |
273.87 |
|
2. |
Area Oriented Fuelwood & Fodder Projects Scheme(AOFFP). |
50% by Government of India and 50% by State Governments. |
200.00 |
The main thrust of the above two schemes is to promote afforestation and ecological development especially in degraded forest areas so as to restore through natural regeneration or management intervention, the forest cover in the country for ecological security and to meet Fuelwood, fodder and other non-timber forest produce needs of the rural communities.
The above two schemes were implemented in the 8th FYP also. The IAEP scheme is implemented by field level implementing agencies in different States in selected watersheds. The AOFFP scheme is mainly focussed on raising Fuelwood and fodder plantations in identified Fuelwood fodder deficit districts of the country.
Progress of implementation of these two schemes during 8th Five Year Plan was got evaluated through an independent agency. Based on the recommendations of the Evaluation reports and feed back from implementing agencies, the basic features of these schemes have been fine tuned to the mandate of NAEB and during 9th FYP, the following activities have been made an integral part of the implementation process for these two schemes:
212. NATIONAL RIVER CONSERVATION DIRECTORATE:
NATIONAL RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN AND GANGA ACTION PLAN PHASE-II
The Ganga Action Plan model with necessary corrections on the basis of lessons learnt and experience gained has been applied to all the major rivers of the country under the scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). It consists of the following components ;
GANGA ACTION PLAN PHASE-II
Since Phase-I of the Ganga Action Plan covered the pollution loads only partially, Phase-II of the Ganga Action Plan was launched and approved in stages between 1993 and 1996 for implementation. The total project cost of GAP Phase-II is Rs. 1498.86 crore which includes the following components:
YAMUNA ACTION PLAN
Under this Action Plan pollution abatement works are being taken up in 21 towns. Of these 12 are in Haryana, 8 in Uttar Pradesh besides Delhi. 141 schemes of pollution abatement concerning municipal activities have been sanctioned so far under Yamuna Action Plan.. Of this 106 schemes have completed and a capacity to treat 724 mld of sewage has been created by the setting up of 28 sewage treatment plants.
Out of the approved cost of Rs . 732.05 crore the expenditure incurred totals to Rs 462.55 crore . External assistance of Yen 17.77 billion is being provided by JBIC, Japan to part finance Yamuna Action Plan . The loan agreement which was due to end in March, 2000 has been further extended by a period of two years till April 19,2002. YAP extended phase has been approved at a cost of Rs. 222.60 crore and 45 schemes have been sanctioned so far under this extended phase.
GOMTI ACTION PLAN
The Govt. approval for Gomti Action Plan was obtained in April 1993 for Rs.64.01 crore for taking up river pollution abatement works in the towns of Lucknow, Sultanpur and Jaunpur and the share of Lucknow was Rs.47.75 crore. The pattern of funding was subsequently changed from 50:50 cost sharing between Centre and State to 100% Central funding, with cost of land to be borne by the State Government and centages were reduced from 14% to 8%.
While works in Sultanpur and Jaunpur have been taken up from budgetary resources of MoEF and are under implementation, pollution abatement works in Lucknow were initially taken up with grant assistance provided by Department for International Development (DFID), UK. The 1st phase of the DFID assisted project at Lucknow started in September 1995 under which some emergency works and Master Plan preparation were undertaken and schemes worth Rs.6.81 crore were sanctioned and which were completed by March 1999. In the meantime, the DFID, UK informed that they are not willing to fund the 2nd phase of the project (in which the main works of interception, diversion and treatment of sewage outfalling into the river Gomti were to be taken up) because of the change in the development aid policy of their Government with focus shifting to projects pertaining to poverty alleviation etc.
As aid from DFID, UK is not forthcoming a decision has been taken to take up the Lucknow project also from budgetary resources of MoEF. Since an amount of Rs.6.81 crore has already been spent a balance amount of Rs.40.94 crore (Rs.47.75 crore minus Rs.6.81 crore) is available at present for the Lucknow project.
On the directions of the Monitoring Committee of NRCA headed by Member (Environment), Planning Commission, a Group under the Chairmanship of the Project Director, NRCD & Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests reviewed the various technology options for sewage treatment at Lucknow to meet the additional fecal coliform standards so that pollution abatement works in the town could be started urgently. The Group recommended setting up of three decentralised STPs (sewage treatment plants), one of 48 mld capacity at Daulatganj and two at Kakraha village downstream of the barrage with a capacity of 254 mld thereby making the total capacity of 302 mld.
The Group further recommended that UP Govt. submit DPRs (Detailed Project Reports) for the following priority works at Lucknow for utilisation of the available allocation of Rs.40.94 crore.
The implementation of the above priority works will improve the water quality of the river in the core area of the city upstream of the barrage
As a follow up to the above, UP Govt/UP Jal Nigam have listed 10 priority schemes for being taken up in the first phase of the project. The NRCD has so far approved six projects amounting to Rs.25.45 crore and Rs.10.18 crore have also been released. Four DPRs have been returned to the Govt. of UP for rectification of deficiencies.
The UP Govt. have meantime on 19.12.2000 sent a revised Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) for Gomti Action Plan at Lucknow amounting to Rs.317.60 crore. The earlier amount of Rs.40.94 crore for Lucknow stands included in this amount. The amount has increased from Rs.47.75 crore to Rs.317.60 crore because the U.P. Govt. have corrected the deficiencies of the earlier estimate by updating the quantity of wastewater as well as rates of the works. The Government will have to be approached again for approval of the revised PFR as the cost has escalated the existing government revision by nearby Rs. 280 crore. As per the decision taken in the 3rd Standing Committee of NRCA chaired by MEF, the balance Plan in Lucknow will be funded on 70:30 cost sharing pattern between the Centre and the State Government.
DAMODAR ACTION PLAN ( DAP )
Under this Action Plan pollution abatement works are being taken up in 12 towns . Of these 8 are in Bihar and 4 in West Bengal. It has opened its account by the sanctioning of a 3 schemes of Low Cost Toilet recently. About 68 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted , diverted and treated .
Out of the approved cost of Rs.23.58 crore nil expenditure has been incurred under this Action Plan . This is a low priority area.
GANGA ACTION PLAN – MAIN STEM ( GAP-II, M.S. )
Under this action plan pollution abatement works are being taken up in 59 towns .Of these 22 are in U.P., 14 in Bihar and 23 in W.B. Out of 78 schemes of pollution abatement sanctioned so far, 11 schemes have completed so far under this Action Plan. About 780 mld of sewage is targeted to be intercepted , diverted and treated .
This plan includes substantial outlay for scheme implementation in the towns of Allahabad, Kanpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The schemes in Kanpur are being taken up under the Indo-Dutch cooperation project and are being progressively sanctioned. In Allahabad, 4 schemes including emergency works implemented during the recently held Kumbh Mela amounting to Rs. 7.08 crore have been sanctioned. 2 DPRs amounting to Rs. 24.92 crore have been returned back to the UP Government for rectification of deficiencies. Against a Government provision of Rs. 32.72 crore for Allahabad, the revised PFR has recently been received for Rs. 234.80 crore. Against a Government provision of Rs. 45.05 crore for Varanasi, the State Government had submitted a revised PFR for Rs. 236.28 crore. The State Government are required to make the necessary modifications in the revised PFR inline with the observations of the Expert Committee Report. 4 DPRs for priority works to be taken up for the existing Government provision amounting to Rs. 41.62 crore have been sanctioned after a High Powered Technical Group set up by the Government to re-examine the two alternative proposals (one of UP Government/UPJN and the other of Sankat Mochan Foundation, an NGO of Varanasi) decided that the UP Government/UPJN proposal was a more feasible option for GAP-II at Varanasi. However, implementation of works cannot be taken up by UPJN as the Supreme Court has on 7.9.2001 stayed the implementation of the works without leave of the Court. The Government will have to be approached again for approval of revised PFRs for Allahabad & Varanasi where the costs have substantially exceeded the corresponding existing Government provisions. It has also been decided in the Standing Committee chaired by MEF that the balance Plan for these towns will be funded on 70:30 cost sharing pattern between the Central and the State Governments.
Schemes in Bihar are only being sanctioned after due scrutiny and examination owing to the poor performance of the State Govt. in the operation and maintenance of assets created under Ganga Action Plan Phase-I and the diversion of funds released for GAP –I works for other purposes by the State Govt. The schemes in West Bengal have been duly prioritized and are proceeding at a steady pace.
Out of the approved cost of Rs. 682.11 crore, the expenditure incurred totals to Rs.45.57 crore.
NATIONAL RIVER CONSERVATION PLAN
The National River Conservation Plan was launched in 1995 to cover 23 major rivers in 10 States of the country. Under this action plan pollution abatement works are being taken up in 56 towns. Of these 4 are in A.P. , 3 in Jharkhand , 1 in Gujarat, 8 in Karnataka, 4 in Maharashtra, 11 in M.P., 4 in Orissa, 6 in Punjab, 2 in Rajasthan and 13 in Tamil Nadu.
Out of 204 schemes of pollution abatement sanctioned under this Action Plan so far, 66 schemes have completed. About 2455 million liters per day (mld) of sewage is targeted to be intercepted , diverted and treated . Out of the approved cost of Rs 1818.93 crore , the expenditure incurred by States totals to Rs.155.50 crore.
After the launching of the NRCP in 1995, it was decided to merge the Ganga Action Plan Phase-II with NRCP. A notification to this effect was issued on 5.12.1996. Presently, the overall cost of National River Conservation Plan is Rs. 3318 crore covering 151 towns along the polluted stretches of 27 rivers spread over 16 States.
INTEGRATED APPROACH
In the Tenth meeting of the National River Conservation Authority (NRCA) held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister on 13-3-01, the Committee agreed with the proposal of separating the on-going approved works with the new proposed works. It was decided that all the projects of River Action Plans in future will be formulated in an integrated and holistic manner by addressing not only the issue of river pollution but that of other components like internal sewerage, low cost sanitation, solid waste disposal etc. also with active people's involvement. All future works will be on cost sharing basis of 70 : 30 between Centre and States. The share of public shall be a minimum of 10 % of the total cost.
NATIONAL LAKE CONSERVATION PLAN
The Ministry of Environment & Forests had identified 10 polluted urban lakes for conservation and management in 1994. In July, 1997, the Planning Commission conveyed the approval of NLCP as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Accordingly, a note covering the aforesaid 10 polluted urban lakes at an estimated cost of Rs. 637 crore was put up for approval of Govt. Govt. considered the note and directed MEF to bring up the matter for consideration after a fresh appraisal of the scheme in the light of a firm tie-up of external financial assistance financing NLCP. The Committee, however, approved in principal the proposal to take up the scheme for conservation of the Dal Lake.
The Ministry posed NLCP for financial assistance to some of the bilateral/multi-lateral funding agencies. However, none of these agencies evinced interest in the proposal. Waiver of the Govt. was sought to the condition of tying up of external financial assistance for financing conservation and management plans of Powai Lake in Mumbai(Maharashtra) and Ooty and Kodaikanal lakes in Tamil Nadu under the NLCP. The approval of the Govt. was accorded on 31st May, 2001.
A provision of Rs. 25 crore was made for NLCP in the IX Plan. An amount of Rs. 1.25 crore have been spent in preparation of the DPR for Dal Lake Conservation Plan. The DPRs for Dal Lake Conservation Plan have been sent to the state government of J&K for their concurrence. It is proposed to utilise the available allocations in the current plan for the conservation of the aforesaid 3 lakes. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 14.90 crore. An amount of Rs. 4.00 crore for Powai and Rs. 1.00 crore for Ooty has been released in July,2001. Funds for conservation of these lakes will be provided out of the Plan allocations of the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The Ministry is now receiving new proposals for conservation of lakes from various states. It is proposed to pose the remaining identified lakes of the NLCP along with the new lakes to Govt. during the X Plan.
213. TAJ PROTECTION MISSION
The EFC Memo giving details of the scheme on Taj Protection Mission was approved in the EFC meeting held on 26.10.98. On 23.2.99, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved schemes of Rs.222.21 crores for the following 10 projects:
(Rs. in crores)
|
1) |
Improvement in Electric Supply at Agra Part-II |
9.11 |
|
2) |
Improvement in Electric Supply in and around the rural areas of |
39.09 |
|
Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. |
||
|
3) |
Water Supply (Agra) |
72.80 |
|
4) |
Water Supply (Mathura-Vrindavan) |
42.00 |
|
5) |
Gokul Barrage |
12.50 |
|
6) |
Solid Waste Management in Agra city |
7.49 |
|
7) |
Storm Water Drainage System (Agra) |
6.59 |
|
8) |
Construction of one part of Agra Bye-pass |
10.65 |
|
9) |
Widening of Agra Bye-pass |
0.75 |
|
10) |
Improvement of Master Plan of roads of Agra city |
21.22 |
|
Total |
222.21 |
|
Financial requirement showing cost of projects, released amount, expenditure, progress and completion schedule of 10 projects referred above are as follows:
1. Water supply Agra
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.72.80 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.56.50 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.42.38 crores |
The following works have been completed.
Work had started in 1998-99 and proposed to be completed by 2001-2002.
2. Water supply Mathura-Vrindaban
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.42.00 crores. |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.38.32 crores. |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.31.96 crores. |
The construction works of intake well, 101 MLD Treatment Plant is under progress, clear water reservoir of 4500KL has been completed. Feeder line has been laid in 16.65 km length and is in progress. Ground level reservoirs of Bhuteshwar, mukherjee Park, Jawahar Bagh area are under progress. Supply orders for raw water pumping plants and clear water pumping plants have also been placed. Power load has been sanctioned by UPSEB. Two Tubewells have also been constructed in Laxminagar locality, which is presently a Tubewells zone. Work is supposed to be completed by June,2002.
3. Storm Water Drainage System, Agra.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.6.6 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.6.6 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.3.1 crores. |
Construction of drains namely Nawal Ganj in Trans Yamuna area, Bheem Nagar, Sikanda and Mustafa Quarter of namner Nala are in progress. Cleaning of Paliwal park drain, Mantola drain, Bhairon nala and Tajganj drain have already been completed and other works are in progress. Project started in 1997-98 and will be completed by June, 2002.
4. Solid Waste Management in Agra.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.7.49 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs7.49 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.7.43 crores |
In this project the procurement of equipments such as dumper placers, wheel dozer, excavator loader, wheel barrows, tipping carts and mvd sludge pump have already been completed. Land has been acquired at Kubepura. 2 trenching grounds are been constructed at Karbhana and Foundry Nagar and 20 community latrines are being made. With the present level of completion the system can handle 70% of the solid waste generated and it is expected to go upto 90% once the project is completed. Expected to be completed by March, 2002.
5. Gokul Barrage
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.12.50 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.30.70 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.21.60 crores |
The barrage has been made on the river Yamuna near Murlidhar Ghat in Mathura with view to augment the water availability for Agra and Mathura, a project for the construction of a Barrage at Gokul was initiated in the year 1990. The progress of the works was slow on account of the shortage of funds. The total cost of the project at 1998 prices is about Rs.92.20 Cr. The Department of Urban Development had released about Rs.61.50 Cr. With a view to expediting the completion and commissioning of the project a proposal had been sanctioned by the Mission Management Board for bridging the financial gap. The catchment area of this Barrage 25900 sq. km. And it is designed for a flood discharge at 9500 cu. M. The proposed pond level is 165.0 m. Rs.12.50 crores which has been released as a part of the TTZ scheme, has been spent. However, the project had not been commissioned as a part work is incomplete for construction of some of the gates. In order to complete this project, an additional amount of Rs.10.42 crores was required. The project has been completed.
6. Construction of one part of Agra bye-pass.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.10.65 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.10.65 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs5.76 crores |
The work has been taken up in a phased manner. In the first phase, the existing canal service road has been widened and strengthened. From an initial width of 3.7 m it has been widened to 4.7 m. In the second phase a road parallel to the existing canal road of 4.7 m. wide is being made.
Total length of 20 km. land has been acquired. Earth work is under progress. Work has started in 1998-99 and will be completed by March, 2002.
The project worth Rs.0.76 Cr. was sanctioned by the MMB and sought to strengthen & increase the width of the canal service road upto 4.7 meters. It has been completed with an expenditure of Rs.0.72 Cr.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.21.22 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.18.60 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.15.31 crores |
In the first phase 16 Master Plan roads to complete the missing links have been taken for a project cost of Rs.7.59 crores. Out of which, work for 7 roads have been completed and 3 are in progress. Land acquisition for rest of work is in progress. The remaining work is expected to be completed by March, 2003.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.9.11 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.9.11 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.6.51 crores |
Rs.9.11 crores has been approved for installation of a 315 MVA transformer at 400 KV sub-station at Pilpokhar. The project has been completed in August, 2001.
|
Cost of the project: |
Rs.39.09 crores |
|
Amount released: |
Rs.29.11 crores |
|
Amount spent: |
Rs.27.94 crores |
Rs.29.09 crores has been earmarked for works in the distribution sector and about 10.00 crores has been set aside for improving the transmission system. A new sub-station of 132/33 KV is being constructed at Bodla for which land at concessional rates has been provided by the ADA. Transmission capacities of the 132/33 KV sub-stations at Bah, Gokul and Shamsabad road Agra are to be enhanced. Projects worth Rs.10 Cr. have been sanctioned for this. A total of about 357 villages shall be electrified. Ninety Five slums within the municipal limits of Agra shall be electrified. Sub-station at Saiyan has been constructed and at Dhanauta and Karkoli, work is in progress. In 85 villages rural electrification is in progress and expected to be completed by March, 2002.
214. WORLD BANK AIDED INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION PREVENTION PROJECT
The objective of the project is to promote cost-effective Pollution abatement from industrial sources. The specific goals are:
i) to strengthen four State Pollution Control Boards
ii) facilitate priority investments dedicated to prevent pollution from industrial sources
iii) provide technical assistance.
The total outlay of the project is US$ 330 millions. The break-up of the cost in terms of components and financing plan is as under:-
|
Components |
|||
|
Institutional |
US $ |
25.5 |
million |
|
Investment |
US $ |
300.0 |
million |
|
Technical assistance |
US $ |
4.5 |
million |
|
Total |
US $ |
330.0 |
million |
|
|
|
||
|
Financing Plan |
|
|
|
|
GOI |
US $ |
16.0 |
million |
|
IDBI/ICICI |
US $ |
60.0 |
million |
|
Project Sponsors |
US $ |
86.0 |
million |
|
IBRD |
US $ |
143.0 |
million |
|
IDA Credit |
US $ |
25.0 |
million |
|
Total |
US $ |
330.0 |
million |
The Ministry of Environment & Forests which is a nodal agency for implementing this project, is also responsible to disburse the US$ 25.0 million which is now revised to US$ 23.0 million (equivalent to Rs.98.9 crores) under IDA credit for three components viz. Institutional, Investment and Technical assistance. The term of the Project is till March 2002. An extension of term of the project by two years is likely.
Present status of the project:
Till date, expenditure incurred under this project is about Rs.54.95 crores. Out of this, Rs.11.50 crores have been spent during 2001-2002. The progress is satisfactory in respect of all the components. It is expected that an amount of Rs.10 crores will be spent during 2002-2003.
215. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CAPACITY BUILDING TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE PROJECT (WORLD BANK AIDED)
The project on Environmental Management Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project became effectively operational in 1998. During the year 1998-99 the concerned Executive Agencies responsible for implementation of the respective components remained busy with preparation and finalisation of the Project Implementation Plans (PIPs) which underwent several revisions on the advice of the World Bank before the same could be finally approved by the Bank. The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting held on 23.08.97. At the time of finalisation of the outlay its approved cost was US $ 61.48 million comprising of IDA credit of US $ 50 million and Government of India contribution of US $ 11.48 million (Rs. 221.38 cores). The project started in September 1997 and its target date of completion is 30th June 2003. The progress of the Project has been reviewed periodically through periodical Supervision Missions of the World Bank. Between June 1997 and April 2001 seven Supervision Missions took place. It was agreed during these Missions that certain components such as (i) Regional Offices of MoEF; (ii) Paryavaran Vahini; (iii) ENVIS Centres; and (iv) Environmental Indicators should be dropped since no progress had been made in their implementation. The Mid-Term Review concluded in April 2000 and it was felt that considering the last depreciation in the value of the rupees against the dollar the project outlay should be reduced to 45.53 million dollars. The Mission also agreed to include three new components namely Environmental Impact Assessment, Coastal Zone Management Plans and Training of Media in Environmental Journalism. Since the expenditure was low, recorded only 5.82 million dollars by June 2000, another short Mission of the World Bank visited the Ministry in October 2000 to pave the way for amendment in the Development Credit Agreement. They felt that there was only a 80% probability of expenditure considering the time available and the progress of procurement achieved in the past. Large reductions were also suggested under certain components such as (a) Environmental Law Component – reduction of US $ 0.70 million (b) Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (Deptt. Of Ocean Development) – reduction of US $ 0.96 million (c) Institutional Strengthening (Gujarat) Component – reduction of US $ 2.25 million (d) Contingencies – reduction of US $ 1.00 million; and (e) Coastal Management Plan (Ministry of Environment & Forests) Component – reduction of US $ 2.00 million. The project outlay, therefore, came down to 29.62 million dollars. Another Mission of the World Bank visited the Ministry on 7th & 8th December 2000 and discussed the various components about the possible simplification of project procedures and the status of the progress with regard to the various components. The final amendment to the Development Credit Agreement has been signed by all parties in May – June, 2001. Soon thereafter another IDA Mission visited India in June, 2001 when ways and means were suggested for accelerated pace of progress to reduce the possibility of physical and financial slippage’s which have been finally included in the restructured project.