ADB approves $300 million loan to improve road connectivity, trade in Nepal

Kathmandu / May 17: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million loan to improve transport connectivity of the Kakarbhitta–Laukahi road in Nepal to international trade routes, particularly to India and Bangladesh.

According to a statement released by the ADB, at least 95 kilometers (km) of road from Kakarbhitta to Laukahi will be upgraded from two lanes to a four-lane dual roadway. It will incorporate climate and disaster-resilient design features such as higher thermal resistant pavements and bridges with stringent flood-proofing requirement.

The project will improve road safety through features such as junctions with traffic signals, footpaths with streetlights and tactile paving surface, overhead pedestrian crossings, road crossings with raised platforms, and bus stops equipped with lighting systems.

As per the press release, ADB will provide an additional $750,000 technical assistance grant from its Technical Assistance Special Fund to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation guidelines for road projects, bidding documents, performance indicators, and a user handbook on long-term performance-based maintenance.

ADB said it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty.