ADB $350 million loan to upgrade state and district roads in Chhattisgarh

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $350 million loan to rehabilitate and upgrade state highways and major district roads in Chhattisgarh, which will improve connectivity and access to basic services and livelihood opportunities.

The state of Chhattisgarh is overwhelmingly rural (about 96% of the area), but rich in natural resources and a major producer of minerals such as coal and iron ore. However, according to the 2011 census, poverty levels were at about 38% of the population. A safe and efficient road network will significantly contribute to the state’s economy and development and thus contribute to poverty reduction in the state.

“Chhattisgarh relies heavily on roads for the movement of people and goods, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas,” said ADB Transport Specialist Mr. Andri Heriawan. “The project will boost access of the poor to socioeconomic opportunities and to basic services such as health care and education, as well as improve the overall quality of life in the influence areas along the roads.”

This project will support the state government’s strategy by rehabilitating or upgrading two state highways and 23 major district roads totaling about 850 kilometers (km) in length. The selected roads will be widened from single or intermediate lane width to two to four lanes. The project will also strengthen the institutional capacity of the Chhattisgarh Public Works Department in road maintenance and safety.

In villages and built-up areas, the project roads will include bus stops accessible to the elderly, women, children, and persons with disabilities, and street lighting for better security and road safety. Additionally, climate adaptation measures are being incorporated in the road design, such as increased road embankment height, increased dimension of drainage structures, and increased thickness and quality of bitumen.

The total project cost is $521.69 million, of which the government will finance $171.69 million. The estimated completion date is mid-2024.

Original source: ADB
Published on 31 May 2019