Government of India has signed a $177 million loan with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to upgrade 450 kilometers of state highways and major district roads in Maharashtra.
The project aims to improve connectivity between rural areas and urban centers in Maharashtra. It will enable rural communities to better access markets, employment opportunities, and services.
It is expected that improved mobility will expand development and livelihood opportunities outside Maharashtra urban centers to second-tier cities and towns. It will reduce income disparities.
The project plans to develop a road safety audit framework in order to develop vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women, and children. It will strengthen road safety measures in the state.
The project is planned for a 5-year maintenance system to contractors to sustain asset quality and service levels.
Under the project 2 major district roads and 11 state highways will be upgraded with a combined length of 450 km, to 2-lane standard across 7 districts of Maharashtra.
The move aims to improve connectivity to national highways, interstate roads, seaports, airports, rail hubs, industrial areas, enterprise clusters, district headquarters, and agricultural areas.
Under the project, the staff from the Maharashtra Public Works Department will be trained to build their capacity in climate change adaptation and disaster-resilient features in road design, road maintenance planning, and road safety.