Other Infrastructure Study

349 items available

Permanent URI for this collection

Items in this collection

Now showing 1 - 10 of 11
  • Publication
    Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) for Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Bangladesh : Final Implementation Plan
    (Washington, DC, 2009-10) World Bank
    In April, 2008 the World Bank and the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) commenced a study with the following objectives: (i) to assess fiduciary and operational risks in LGED's management of projects, assets and other resources, and in the Local Government Division (LGD), Ministry Of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives' oversight function; (ii) to evaluate the efficacy of external review of decision-making by LGED and the LGD; and (iii) to identify options for future monitoring of operational risks in LGED and the LGD, and (iv) to prioritize options which are realistic and available to effectively minimize the major operational risks identified. This report addresses the last of these objectives. It is based on discussions in Dhaka 14-20 March with senior LGED staff the Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) team leader, and follow-up work by LGED staff through March 30. The report identifies and categorizes three different types of risks. The first type includes risks that LGED has the authority to take the necessary actions to address, with support from development partners and routine budgetary spending and staffing authorizations needed from other agencies. The second type includes risks that can only be addressed by LGED in partnership with one or more other organizations. In other words, it can initiate some parts, but will also need key partners to make necessary decisions to carry out the recommended actions. Although initial work on these can begin right away, successful implementation is expected to take longer than addressing the first type of risks. The third type includes risks that stem from the external environment in which LGED operates. LGED cannot take any direct action to address them. Yet, based on a full understanding of the nature of the risk, LGED may be able to take indirect actions to mitigate the relevant operational and fiduciary risks to LGED's operations and reputation. These are more complex than the first two types, and may take more time to address. Once finalized, the report will be presented and discussed at the ORA Dissemination Workshop tentatively scheduled for July, 2009, with participants from Government, civil society, and international partner organizations. Following approval by the Local Government Division, Ministry Of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, LGED will begin implementing the risk mitigating measures according to the attached schedule.
  • Publication
    Reform of Gujranwala Water and Sanitation Agency : Design of Institutional Framework and Corporate Structure
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2009-03-31) Ali Shah, Syed Mansoor
    WASA-G is an agency established by the Authority under the Punjab Development of Cities Act, 1976 ('PDCA') to 'carry out functions of the authority in relation to development, operation, and maintenance of water supply, sewerage and drainage system within the boundaries of Gujranwala Development Authority (GDA) and to carry out all functions ancillary hereto. Authority means the development authority i.e, GDA created under PDCA. One of the functions of the authority is to establish an agency or agencies and entrust to it such powers and functions as it may deem fit with the approval of the Government. The functions of water supply, sewerage and drainage have been 'entrusted' to WASA-G, an agency of the authority under the PDCA. There is no further detail in PDCA regarding the legal structure of the agency. WASA-G is, therefore, no more than a wing or department of the authority entrusted with a specific function of water supply, sewerage and drainage and matters ancillary thereto and does not enjoy an autonomous legal status. The authority is therefore the service provider (through WASA-G) and the regulator. Further, the authority can give direction to government agencies to execute the scheme, if falling within the jurisdiction of the government agency.
  • Publication
    Land Acquisition in Afghanistan : A Report
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2007-06) McAuslan, Patrick
    The purpose of this report is to review and assess Afghanistan's legal framework regulating social safeguards (national and local laws, regulations, procedures and policies) with special reference to the law and practice of compulsory land acquisition, or expropriation. The overall objective of the report is to consider how Afghanistan's legal framework would address social safeguard issues in upcoming World Bank projects which are likely to involve land acquisition and resettlement of those persons whose land is to be acquired in connection with project implementation. The report will consist of a narrative of the context within which the assessment will be conducted and the assessment which will in both narrative and tabular form. Afghanistan is embarking upon a massive programme of public works to improve and upgrade the infrastructure of the country: better roads, clean water; more schools and hospitals in both rural and urban areas are needed to provide a better life for all Afghans. The World Bank is committed to providing assistance towards the realization of this programme. Much of these public works will involve the acquisition of land on which people are at present living and obtaining a livelihood from. It is important to stress at the outset of this report that far from the object of the report being to impede or prevent these necessary public works, the aim of the report and any consequential changes in the law which might result from its proposals are designed to facilitate those public works by providing for a clear and fair system of land acquisition, compensation and resettlement for those people who will be required to leave their homes and land for the greater public good in order that the public works can be carried out. Where people are satisfied that they have been treated fairly, they will be more likely to co-operate in being moved from their homes and this will facilitate the execution of the public works.
  • Publication
    Pakistan : Infrastructure Implementation Capacity Assessment
    (Washington, DC, 2007) World Bank
    This assessment of the Pakistan Infrastructure Implementation Capacity (PIICA) which was carried out at the request of the GoP validates the view that the Government of Pakistan (GoP) plans to more than triple the infrastructure Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), but remains apprehensive about the capacity to implement such programs. In order to understand and address the issues which typically prevail in the industry, extensive analytical work, assembled around four broad based thematic areas - business environment, human resources, materials, equipment and machinery - was undertaken. The report concludes that the industry stakeholders lack capacity to deliver the planned medium term development framework (MTDF) infrastructure. The study has identified areas in which the GoP needs to carry out further work, detailed assessments and research such as: Rationalizing construction related taxes and tariff structures; Create a best practices project specific delivery organization (GoP could use Diamer or Bhasha Dam as an example) using an integrated construction process; Centralizing data on HR availability and future demand for better planning and management; Streamlining and facilitating import of construction equipment; Studying procedures to assist in improving cash flows on projects; Researching and adopting best practices for technical support, financing and credit facilities for the industry; and Institutional arrangements to provide long-term sustainable development of the industry.
  • Publication
    Radio Spectrum Management Development in India : A Framework for Strengthening Radio Spectrum Management and Policies
    (Washington, DC, 2006-06) World Bank
    This report provides a detailed review of the current spectrum management regime in India; provides a perspective on best practice as may be applied in India and in addition provides a consideration of measures which could be taken to enhance spectrum management activities in India. The radio spectrum in India is a national resource, owned and managed by the Government. The authority for day-to-day spectrum management activities is vested Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) in New Delhi. Formal interfaces have been established with key spectrum user organizations, whose spectrum management staff may be found in other parts of India, remote from the capital city. The spectrum management regime has to date been strongly biased towards fulfilling the needs of the State and serving radio communications requirements funded by public sources. However, during the last 5 to 8 years a demanding private sector has made significant investments in the roll-out of new services and systems. The private sector (and indeed several segments of the public sector) is not entirely satisfied with the level of service provided by the spectrum management organization. This report performs the following functions: 1) it provides a detailed review of the current spectrum management regime in India; 2) it provides a commentary on best practice as may be applied in India in connection with each of the above areas; and 3) it provides a consideration of measures which could be taken to enhance spectrum management activities in India.
  • Publication
    India : Road Transport Service Efficiency Study
    (Washington, DC, 2005-11) World Bank
    This study reviews the long-distance road transport industry in India, in order to identify inefficiencies that could reduce the benefits to be derived from the large investments now being made by the Government in the nation's highway infrastructure. It has been undertaken to assess the present policy regime, and identify measures which may be considered to improve the functioning of road transport, in particular long-distance road transport, and, enhance its already enormous contribution (3.9 percent of GDP) to the workings of the Indian economy. While the road transport sector encompasses a wide variety of activities, this study has focused on three aspects which were considered the most relevant to the investments in highway infrastructure - the trucking industry, inter-city buses, and in view of its very important, but largely unfulfilled role in enhancing road safety, the motor insurance industry. The key findings and recommendations of the study are summarized below. India has achieved a highly competitive, low-cost road freight transport industry for basic services, with highway freight rates among the lowest in the world. In fact, trucking freight rates are so low that the industry is suffering an intense period of low profits, or rather, even losses. In this context, actions by the Government that increase costs, or reduce the efficiency of operators, will soon find their way into higher freight rates. Introduction of tractor-trailer, multi-axle vehicles would reduce not only transport costs, but also road damage caused by the higher axle-loadings of 2- and 3-axle rigid trucks, and, incentives proposed for introduction of multi-axle trucks include reduced tax and highway toll rates. Regarding inter-city bus services, the private sector has won back a rapidly increasing share of the inter-city road passenger market, and now about 80 percent of the bus fleet is privately operated. The report stipulates the appropriate focus of regulatory policy, in the case of road passenger transport, should be qualitative standards related to the safety of services, and the minimization of negative environmental impacts. As per the motor insurance industry, removing tariff controls and allowing a free market to develop will enable the industry to turn into a viable business, to invest in the kinds of enhancements needed, e.g., a system to maintain, and access driver records in order to properly assess risk, and charge premiums that reflect the risk profile of individual drivers.
  • Publication
    India : Financing Highways
    (Washington, DC, 2004-10-21) World Bank
    This report is designed to provide information and advice to the Indian Union and States Governments on the principles and practicalities for establishing a sound and sustainable system of highway financing. The report reviews the economic principles for establishing efficient and equitable road user charges (road pricing), and examines the potential mechanisms for charging road users. Present road taxation in India is assessed in the light of these considerations as is the levels of highway funding required to meet government objectives. The report reviews the potential contribution of private sector finance to the sector and assesses the present use of private finance and the alternative possibilities for utilizing the private sector in the financing and management of the network. The report also examines the need for an agenda of sector reform which addresses both the financial and institutional frameworks needed to achieve network sustainability and public acceptance of higher user charges.
  • Publication
    Bhutan : Transport Sector Note
    (Washington, DC, 2004-08-16) World Bank
    Landlocked Bhutan faces unique challenges, and opportunities as it pursues the development of its transport sector into the 21st century. Bhutan's population growth rate is high, rural-urban migration is accelerating, and, fueled by sustained economic growth, the country is urbanizing rapidly, giving rise to an expanding urban middle class, with rising expectations of well-paid employment, accessible services, and consumption potential. However, accessibility to a large measure depends on availability of reliable, and affordable transportation. Poor rural access is synonymous with rural isolation, and poverty, while high external and domestic transport costs constrain the country's economic and social development. Transportation poses a considerable cost disadvantage to business and commercial undertakings; road transport is slow and regularly disrupted by landslides and flooding; air transport is costly and erratic. Costly transport is a major factor constraining the development of tourism, horticultural exports, and agro-processing and wood-based industries. Sector issues discussed in this report emerge from a detailed assessment of the transport system, and an analysis of public expenditures. It discusses the strategy for improving rural accessibility, and the central role of roads, and motorized transport for integrating remote regions and communities into the national economy; access to regional and global markets, to include technical support for development, operation, and management of transport logistics, establishment of a dry port in Phuentsholing with reefer storage facilities, and, internationally competitive Druk air cargo rates, especially for exports of perishable, and high value agricultural products; transport sector planning and coordination, which includes specific policy, planning, and investment recommendations for roads, air transport, urban transport, and road transport services. It is recommended to consider recasting the proposed Transport Master Plan as a National Transport Strategy and Policy Review to identify and analyze emerging challenges, and constraints in the transport sector; recommend appropriate strategies, and policies to address these concerns; and, prepare an implementation plan for sector modernization, including policy and institutional reforms.
  • Publication
    Stabilization and Fiscal Empowerment : The Twin Challenges Facing India's States, Volume 1. Executive Summary and Main Report
    (Washington, DC, 2004-05-10) World Bank
    India, home to more than one billion people, has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, averaging about six percent per year between 1992/93 and 2003/04. The agenda backed in this report is one that receives widespread support from both the central and state governments in India. The fiscal stress of the late nineties gave rise to an intense state-level reform effort. Six years on, this report documents the many initiatives undertaken by the states to restore fiscal sustainability, and become more effective agents of development. It outlines successes, lessons learnt, and highlights further challenges, on both the expenditure side (chapter two) and the revenue side (chapter three). It also looks at the incentive framework within which the states operate (chapter four), and asks whether there is a feasible reform package that will take the states not only out of fiscal crisis, but strengthened to meet the development challenges which confront them. This chapter provides the context for what follows by outlining the role and increasingly divergent performance of the state governments (section two), and then in turn, the genesis of the fiscal crisis (section three), its developmental impact (section four), the reform response of the state and central governments (section five), and the reform challenges facing the states today (section six). Although associated with an increase in public spending, the fiscal crisis weakened the developmental and poverty impact of state governments, especially in the poorer states; it also called into question India's overall fiscal sustainability. This report is written to help share the lessons and success-stories to date, and to assist states and the central government in implementing the national agenda of state-level fiscal stabilization and empowerment. Given the low levels and the worrying recent trends in both the quantity of expenditure in priority expenditure areas, and the quality of expenditure across the board, there is an urgent need for expenditure restructuring to free up fiscal resources and for reforms to improve the quality of spending. Focus in this chapter on areas where expenditure can be cut rather than where it should be increased is not because we think there are no areas of underfunding. However, which particular areas should be increased, and by how much, will likely vary from state to state, depending on initial conditions, and identified priorities. The areas where savings can be made have much more in common across states, and so are the focuses of this report.
  • Publication
    Stabilization and Fiscal Empowerment : The Twin Challenges Facing India's States, Volume 2. Detailed Report
    (Washington, DC, 2004-05-10) World Bank
    India, home to more than one billion people, has experienced rapid growth over the past decade, averaging about six percent per year between 1992/93 and 2003/04. The agenda backed in this report is one that receives widespread support from both the central and state governments in India. The fiscal stress of the late nineties gave rise to an intense state-level reform effort. Six years on, this report documents the many initiatives undertaken by the states to restore fiscal sustainability, and become more effective agents of development. It outlines successes, lessons learnt, and highlights further challenges, on both the expenditure side (chapter two) and the revenue side (chapter three). It also looks at the incentive framework within which the states operate (chapter four), and asks whether there is a feasible reform package that will take the states not only out of fiscal crisis, but strengthened to meet the development challenges which confront them. This chapter provides the context for what follows by outlining the role and increasingly divergent performance of the state governments (section two), and then in turn, the genesis of the fiscal crisis (section three), its developmental impact (section four), the reform response of the state and central governments (section five), and the reform challenges facing the states today (section six). Although associated with an increase in public spending, the fiscal crisis weakened the developmental and poverty impact of state governments, especially in the poorer states; it also called into question India's overall fiscal sustainability. This report is written to help share the lessons and success-stories to date, and to assist states and the central government in implementing the national agenda of state-level fiscal stabilization and empowerment. Given the low levels and the worrying recent trends in both the quantity of expenditure in priority expenditure areas, and the quality of expenditure across the board, there is an urgent need for expenditure restructuring to free up fiscal resources and for reforms to improve the quality of spending. Focus in this chapter on areas where expenditure can be cut rather than where it should be increased is not because we think there are no areas of underfunding. However, which particular areas should be increased, and by how much, will likely vary from state to state, depending on initial conditions, and identified priorities. The areas where savings can be made have much more in common across states, and so are the focuses of this report.