ADB approves $320 funds to rehabilitate roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday approved a $320 million loan for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, aiming to support the rehabilitation of roads and enhance their safety in the province.

A press release issued by ADB stated that at least 900 kilometres of rural road in KP will be upgraded under the project ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project.’

“Enhancing safe all-weather connectivity in rural areas” is the aim of the project. It would cover all key routes that link remote communities to education, healthcare, and markets.

“Road transport is a lifeline to the people and a key component of socioeconomic development in Pakistan. This vital infrastructure project will reduce travel time and costs and increase access to economic opportunities for residents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov.

The roads will be made by following key issues that repeatedly cause the infrastructure of the province, such as the annual rainfall and weather patterns that significantly increase the temperature.

“The project will offer technical and financial support to assist the government in preparing long-term targeted interventions that will enhance the climate resilience and sustainability of the province’s road network,” the Bank said.

ADB also planned to assist the government in a comprehensive research study on flood susceptibility and landslide vulnerability to identify priority roads across the province.

“We will support the government in preparing concessional contracts for the operation and maintenance of two tourism roads, which will contribute to the sustainability of the road network,” said ADB Senior Transport Specialist Seunghyun Kim.

ADB has committed over $52 billion to finance inclusive economic growth in Pakistan and improve the country’s infrastructure, energy and food security, transport networks, and social services since 1966.