The Uttarakhand Disaster Recovery Project (UDRP), funded by the World Bank won the South Asia Procurement Innovation Awards (SAPIA ) 2018 for adopting innovative approach and best practices in project procurement and implementation of works in various districts of Uttarakhand after the June 2013 disaster. The award will be presented during the sixth South Asia Region Public Procurement Conference to be held in Thimphu, Bhutan during April 22-24.
The South Asia Regional Public Procurement Network (SARPPN), the World Bank and Procurement iNET organise SAPIA every year. The key objective of SAPIA is to enhance learning and knowledge sharing from innovative approaches adopted by procurement entities and systems across the region. Any government, public sector, university or research and training institution following the public procurement regulatory framework and NGOs involved in public procurement management, awareness and communication and oversight support in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participate in the process.
The award is being viewed as a noteworthy achievement for UDRP as the project focused upon the motto of Build Back Better Safer and Stronger Uttarakhand after the 2013 disaster, which affected the lives of communities in the disaster affected parts of Uttarakhand. Since public buildings are the lifeline of the state, various primary schools with earthquake resilient features were constructed in inaccessible areas of Uttarakhand. Spacious fire stations in Ratura and Srinagar were constructed. Food godown and women police station were also constructed in Srinagar. State allopathic dispensary in Pandukeshwar, community centres, Anganwadi and hostels were also constructed. Roads and bridges were constructed to connect villages to the outer regions. Road safety features were included in the component- signage, speed breakers, safety barriers, crash barriers and road shoulders were constructed to benefit pedestrians. Acrow bridge was constructed with innovative technology. The bridge was constructed in Sonprayag across the Mandakini river, specifically for locals and pilgrims, as it connects them to Kedarnath. Further, the masons were trained and the contractors were oriented on gender and core labour standards during the execution of the project on site. Social and environment safeguards were also taken into account while executing the construction on site.
