Saturday, June 4 2005 11:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (Jun 4, 2005) said it has tied up $766 million of external assistance for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction of tsunami-affected States.

A comprehensive report released by Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that while World Bank (WB) has agreed to lend $528.5 million, Asian Development Bank (ADB) $200 million, International Fund for Development $30 million and $7.5 million from Japan.

Further assistance of $38.80 million was under negotiation, the report said.

The Government has also decided to set up a Tsunami Early Warning System in the Indian Ocean on its own and the Department of Ocean Development has been identified as nodal agency for this purpose, it said.

The System is likely to be in place in two years and is estimated to cost Rs 125 crore.

Elaborating on the external assistance, the report said that support from World Bank was for rural water supply rehabilitation in Kerala, livelihood restoration in Andhra Pradesh and housing and transport infrastructure restoration in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.

World Bank would also support studies for long-term coastal management.

ADB is providing funds for rehabilitation of transportation infrastructure, village infrastructure and livelihood restoration in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Japan is providing $2.5 million each to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for poverty reduction, the report said.