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ADB Approves $320 Million Loan for Road Rehabilitation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Asian Development Bank grants $320M to improve 900km of rural roads in KP, enhancing access to education, healthcare, and markets.
ND
by News Desk
2024-09-13
ADB Approves $320 Million Loan for Road Rehabilitation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $320 million loan to support the rehabilitation and upgrading of approximately 900 kilometers of rural roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. This significant initiative aims to enhance road safety, boost access to essential services, and incorporate climate-resilient infrastructure in the region.

 

According to a press release from the ADB, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project will improve key roadways that serve as critical links between remote communities and essential services such as healthcare, education, and local markets. Many of these routes are currently in poor condition and vulnerable to floods, severely affecting the socioeconomic development of the region.

 

ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, "Road transport is both a lifeline to the people and a key component of socioeconomic development in Pakistan." He added that the upgraded infrastructure will reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and increase economic opportunities for millions of residents in KP.

 

By incorporating climate-resilient designs and road safety measures, the project aims to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, which have historically damaged infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods in KP. ADB Senior Transport Specialist Seunghyun Kim noted that the Bank will assist the government in identifying priority roads at risk of floods and landslides through a comprehensive flood susceptibility study.

 

The project also includes technical and financial support to help the government prepare long-term strategies for maintaining and sustaining the upgraded road network. This includes introducing concessional contracts for the operation and maintenance of two key tourism roads, further contributing to the sustainability of the region’s road infrastructure.

 

Since 1966, ADB has committed over $52 billion to support inclusive economic growth in Pakistan, funding critical improvements in infrastructure, energy, food security, and transport networks across the country. The KP Rural Roads Development Project is yet another step in empowering local communities and driving inclusive development in one of Pakistan’s most underserved regions.
Tagged:

ADB

InfrastructureDevelopment

KhyberPakhtunkhwa

RuralRoads

PakistanGrowth
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