(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Dec 1 (KNN) India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed three loan agreements totalling over USD 800 million to advance key power distribution, metro rail and skills development initiatives in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The agreements were signed by Saurabh Singh, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and Mio Oka, ADB Country Director for India.

The largest component, USD 500 million, has been allocated to Maharashtra's Power Distribution Enhancement Programme, aimed at modernising rural networks and accelerating agricultural solarisation.

Another USD 190.6 million will support the Indore Metro Rail Project, which includes construction of an 8.62 km underground corridor with seven stations.

A further USD 109.97 million has been earmarked for Gujarat's Skills Development Programme to scale up industry-aligned training in high-growth sectors.

Additionally, ADB extended a USD 1 million technical assistance grant for Assam's proposed Sustainable Wetlands and Integrated Fisheries Transformation (SWIFT) project, which seeks to strengthen wetland ecosystems and fisheries development.

In Maharashtra, the solarisation initiative will upgrade substations, install transformers and distribution lines, and deploy 500 MWh of battery storage. By 2028, the programme aims to provide reliable daytime solar power to at least 9 lakh agricultural consumers.

The Indore Metro funding will facilitate connectivity between high-density urban zones and the airport, with plans for multimodal integration. The Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation aims to commission operations by January 2030.

Under Gujarat's skills programme, 11 mega Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be upgraded, centres of excellence will be established, and hub-and-spoke training networks anchored by Kaushalya: The Skill University will be expanded to meet emerging industry needs.

The loan package is expected to support MSMEs involved in electrical equipment manufacturing, civil construction and engineering services.

Enhanced power upgrades may reduce outages for rural units in Maharashtra, while the Indore Metro project could open procurement opportunities for local contractors and suppliers. Gujarat's improved training ecosystem may also provide MSMEs with a more job-ready, tech-skilled workforce.

(KNN Bureau)

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