New Delhi: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $320 million loan to support the rehabilitation of roads in Pakistan. The loan will be used to upgrade the road network in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This project named the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project is aimed at improving safety and all-weather connectivity of rural areas, an ADB press release stated. The project also aims to incorporate climate-resilient design into the road development plan.
The project will cover a total area of 900 kilometers in the flood-prone province. The roads in this area are susceptible to floods and are in poor condition. They link remote communities to education, healthcare, and markets. It also aims to enhance road safety and promote sustainable maintenance practices.
The ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, said, “Road transport is both a lifeline to the people and a key component of socioeconomic development in Pakistan. This vital infrastructure project will reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and increase access to economic opportunities for millions of residents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”