In a significant move aimed at bolstering road infrastructure, the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) inked a crucial $175 million loan agreement dedicated to enhancing connectivity and fortifying the resilience of roads in Madhya Pradesh.
The agreement for the “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience of the Madhya Pradesh Road Network Project” was formalized by Ms. Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, representing the Government of India, and Takeo Konishi, the Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.
Ms. Mukherjee highlighted the project’s objective of augmenting connectivity across 14 districts within Madhya Pradesh, striving to ensure balanced economic development throughout the state.
Mr. Konishi underscored ADB’s historical support for road development in Madhya Pradesh since 2002, stating that the project aims to connect rural areas to growth centers and industrial corridors while fostering better, safer, and climate-resilient roads.
The initiative intends to upgrade approximately 500 kilometers of state highways and major district roads to feature standard two-lane routes. These roads will incorporate designs resilient to climate impacts and disasters, integrating innovative road safety features and facilities catering to the needs of diverse demographics, including the elderly, women, children, and individuals with disabilities.
ADB will facilitate capacity building for the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation Limited (MPRDC) in climate change adaptation, mitigation, disaster resilience, and road safety for efficient road network planning and management. The project will also strategize the adoption of green technology in road construction and establish charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Moreover, the project will prioritize gender equality and social inclusion by formulating a strategy for MPRDC and initiating internship programs to attract female students to the road sector. It will engage women’s self-help groups in promoting road safety awareness and conduct livelihood and entrepreneurship training programs, while also constructing at least two roadside markets to bolster economic activities.