ADB and India inks USD 177 million loan for state road improvements in Maharashtra

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has signed a loan agreement worth USD 177 million on 19 October 2020, to upgrade 450 km of state highways and major district roads in Maharashtra.
The Government of Maharashtra will contribute $78.99 million equivalent toward the $255.99 million total cost of the project.
Under the project, 2 major district roads and 11 state highways, with combined length of 450 km, will be upgraded to 2-lane standard across seven districts of Maharashtra.
The project aims to improve connectivity between rural areas and urban centres in the state to enable rural communities have better access to markets, employment opportunities and services, which in turn will expand development and livelihood opportunities outside of the state’s major urban centers to second-tier cities and towns thus reducing income disparities.