World Bank team in Surat for riverfront project

An eight-member expert team from the World Bank (WB) started its week-long assessment visit to the city on Monday. 

The team will assess the the Rs 2,000 crore first phase of Tapi riverfront project which is being developed at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore.

The government has approached the World Bank for Rs 1,400 crore loan for the first phase. 

The finance will be approved after the project is assessed on various standards. 

A 12-member team was to visit the city, but eight members came physically while one joined the Monday meeting virtually. 

The team visited SMC office and held a series of meetings with officials. 

The team includes experts in urban disaster management, riverfront specialist, disaster risk specialist, and environment and engineering experts of various areas.