The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) yesterday signed a $175 million loan to improve connectivity and resilience of roads in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The signatories to the loan agreement for the Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience of the Madhya Pradesh Road Network Project were Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, in the Ministry of Finance, for the Government of India, and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission, for ADB.

After signing the loan agreement, Ms. Mukherjee stated that this project will enhance connectivity in the state road network across 14 districts to enable balanced economic development in Madhya Pradesh.

“Since 2002, ADB has supported road development in Madhya Pradesh upgrading more than 9,000 kilometers of state highways and major district roads. This project continues these efforts and will connect rural areas to growth centres and industrial corridors and establish roads that are better, safer, and more climate-resilient,” said Mr. Konishi.

The project will upgrade about 500 kilometers of state highways and major district roads to a standard two-lane feature. These roads will incorporate climate- and disaster- resilient design, innovative road safety elements, and facilities that will respond to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.

ADB will build the capacity of the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited (MPRDC) on climate change adaptation and mitigation, disaster resilience, and road safety in road network planning and management. The project will help prepare strategies and plans to utilise green technology in road construction and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

The project will support MPRDC to formulate a gender equality and social inclusion strategy and establish an internship programme to attract female students to work in the road sector. It will engage women self-help groups to promote road safety awareness. The project will also conduct livelihood and entrepreneurship training programmes for women and girls and construct at least two roadside markets.

 

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