The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million loan in a results-based lending program to improve road connectivity in Maharashtra.
The loan will be used to improve road connectivity in 34 districts, particularly in the climate-vulnerable and economically lagging Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, linking rural communities to markets, logistics hubs, healthcare, education, and other essential services.
The road network upgrade
Over 1.7 million people living within walking distance of improved roads will benefit, including residents of at least 80 villages and around 410 rural communities, the multilateral development bank said in a statement.
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These upgrades cover nearly 350 km of state highways and 2,577 km of rural roads.
To foster economic growth
“The program seeks to foster balanced and inclusive economic growth in Maharashtra by improving road connectivity to rural villages, post-harvest centers, and essential social services,” ADB Country Director for India Mio Oka said.
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The results-based lending modality allows the implementing agencies to pool resources and align efforts toward shared results, ensuring coordinated development assistance and common targets