Sikkim Integrated Urban Development Project

approved

The project will (i) improve sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban services and mobility through infrastructure investment; and (ii) build the state's capacity for integrated urban planning and sustainable service delivery. Based on a gap analysis undertaken by the Urban Development Department (UDD) and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), seven towns are prioritized for the proposed urban infrastructure investment (i.e., Gangtok, Gyalshing, Mangan, Pakyong, Rangpo, Singtam, and Soreng towns). The project aims to strengthen climate-resilient and smart water and sanitation infrastructure by improving water supply systems in Gangtok, Pakyong, Rangpo, and Singtam, focusing on reducing nonrevenue water and ensuring continuous supply. Sanitation infrastructure enhancements will include sewerage networks in core areas along with fecal sludge management for the remaining areas of Pakyong, Rangpo, Singtam, and Soreng, and inundation control in critically affected areas across all the seven project towns.Urban mobility will be improved by (i) upgrading roads; (ii) establishing road asset management system; (iii) improving stormwater drains, footpaths, and streetlights; and (iv) establishing transit hubs with gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) responsive community facilities and smart parking. The development of smart zones with smart street lighting and air pollution monitoring systems will further enhance urban livability. A riverfront development with a park and community hall is planned in Rangpo to enhance recreational public space.Municipal service capacity will be enhanced through integrated urban planning initiatives, including updates to the State Strategic Urban Plan and the development of geographic information system (GIS)-based master plans. Efforts will include capacity building for the State Climate Change Cell and the preparation of town-level climate action plans. Sustainable O&M plans will be developed along with modernizing accounting and tax revenue systems. Inclusive governance measures will include citizen-centric e-governance programs and the establishment of a State Urban Gender Cell. Skills development and awareness activities will include training for government officials, municipal staff, and local communities including school children, public representatives, and citizens on urban essential services and road safety.Implementation arrangements. UDD of the Government of Sikkim will be the executing and implementing agency, with support from two project implementation units (PIUs). One PIU will consist of officers from UDD, while the other will comprise officers from PHED. PHED-PIU will manage water supply and sewerage components at the town level whereas UDD-PIU will oversee other project components. Both PIUs will have town-level field offices. PHED and UDD have prior experience in implementing similar projects.