World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick will visit Bihar on January 10, 2011, officials said on Tuesday.
Zoellick will meet Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar during his two day visit in the state and will hold discussions with the chief minister about Bihar government's rebuilding efforts in the areas ravaged by the 2008 Kosi floods, officials said.
The Bihar Cabinet chaired by Nitish Kumar on Tuesday evening has approved the a $220 million (Rs 1,000 crore) credit to support rebuilding efforts in areas affected by the devastating Kosi floods in the state.
The Bihar Kosi Flood Recovery Project will finance flood recovery efforts through the reconstruction of about 100,000 houses, 90 bridges and 290 kilometres of rural roads, officials said.
Officials said that the state government has been undertaking extensive reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. "This will also help us in mainstream disaster risk management in the development strategy of Bihar," they said.
In September this year the World Bank in had appreciated the flood relief work carried out by the Bihar government led by Nitish Kumar. The devastating Kosi floods in 2008 had affected about 3.3 million people in five districts.
About one million people were evacuated, 460,000 people were provided temporary shelter in 360 relief camps, and more than 500 people lost their lives.
