ADB provides grant assistance to improve road connections

August 11, 2006
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB), one of the major donors of Nepal has pledged a grant assistance of US$55.2 from ADB’s concessional Asian Development Fund (ADF) to help expand and rehabilitate the feeder road system in Nepal.

A press release issued by the ADB said the project will construct and upgrade 10 feeder roads and one bridge, to a total of about 490 kilometers, serving poor, isolated people mainly in hilly areas.

This project also covers the construction of new roads to three district headquarters that are currently not connected to the national highway, and the upgrading of existing district roads to all-weather condition in 17 of the country’s 75 districts.

The statement quoted Nianshan Zhang, an ADB Portfolio Management Specialist as saying, “Rehabilitating and expanding feeder roads will help promote inclusive social and economic development.”

“Improved access of remote people to social facilities and jobs in major towns will foster a social and economic development process that can lead to a steady decline in poverty,” the statement adds.

In addition, a $300,000 technical assistance grant accompanies the project to help the Department of Roads carry out road feasibility studies, and to local construction and consulting services industries in road construction and contract management.

Of the $80 million, the total cost of the project, the OPEC Fund for International Development is providing a $10 million loan to finance civil works, while the government will shoulder the balance of $14.8 million.