World Bank has signed an $82m financing deal with the state government of Himachal Pradesh in India to fund the $303.4m Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project to improve traffic flows on priority segments of the state’s core road network.
The project aims to provide safe and resilient roads while strengthening the transport and road safety institutions in the state.
In addition to financing initiatives to build climate and disaster-resilient roads, the Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project will improve road safety along tourism corridors in Himachal and improve logistics along the fruit belts.
Ministry of Finance Department of Economic Affairs additional secretary Sameer Kumar Khare said: “This project will help the state develop reliable, resilient and safe roads which is crucial for the economic development of the state.”
The project will also enhance the ability of Himachal Pradesh to systematically identify, analyse, develop and prioritise critical road safety measures to help benefit all road users.
The bank said that ‘Safe Systems’ approach is planned to be implemented by the project in selected districts and heavily trafficked corridors.
World Bank India country director Junaid Ahmad said: “Himachal Pradesh has the potential to produce high-value horticultural products. However, to leapfrog to the next level of competitiveness in the global value chain, the state needs to focus on improving its roads and logistics services.
“This project will support the Government of Himachal Pradesh to provide greater opportunity to smallholder farmers access domestic and international agricultural markets, attract private investments to enhance value chains and increase jobs and farmers’ incomes.”
The project will also see the installation of an emergency response system to help connect accident sites.
