India receives road improvement funds

The World Bank has approved a US$ 320 million loan to India's Assam State Roads Project to improve and effectively manage its state road network.

The loan will fund improvements to 500 km of priority sections of the state's highways. The work will use new technologies for cost effective, modern, climate resilient and environment friendly road construction.

Located in the country's North East, Assam is one of the India's poorest regions. Potential income from the agriculture, hydropower, tourism and forestry sectors remains largely untapped due to its inadequate road infrastructure and market access.

The World Bank funds will also be used to help modernise the Assam Public Works Roads Department, while investments will also be made to improve road safety management.