OCT 20, KATHMANDU. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a loan assistance of SDR 49.6 million or USD 75.0 million (equivalent NRs 7322 million) to the Government of Nepal for the implementation of South Asian Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Project.

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure Development and Transport Management is the executing agency while, Department of Roads is the implementing agency of the Project.

Mr. Shanta Raj Subedi, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mr. Kenichi Yokoyama, Country Director of Asian Development Bank, Nepal Resident Mission signed the agreement on behalf of the respective sides amidst a programme at the Finance Ministry today.

The main objective of the project is to improve road transport system in eastern part of Nepal. The project is expected to improve the country’s road network totaling about 187 km, providing (i) alternate crossing over Koshi River for East-West Highway at Sunsari District, (ii) three missing linkages for the Mid-Hill Highway and (iii) a feeder road connecting East-West Highway at Birtamod and a new bridge across Mechi River, which will connect to India and Bangladesh.

Additionally, capacity enhancement of the institutions responsible for construction and maintenance of roads will be provided through technical assistance.The project will contribute to development and expansion of the Strategic Road Network and expand connectivity with remote hilly areas to increase the economic activities in the project areas.

The project comprises, (I) about 73 km bypass road along East-West Highway upgraded to 2 lane National Highway standard and 2 lane feeder road standard, which will provide an alternate route for East-West Highway in case of closure of the main Koshi Barrage (ii), about 114 km of Mid-Hill Highway upgraded to intermediate lane, and (iii) enhanced capacity of Department of Roads in delivering Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) results. The Project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2018.

The Project will improve the country’s road network totaling about 187 km, namely, 1. East West Highway-Koshi Bridge Road (Nadaha-Koshi Bridge, Chatara-Rupnagar and Kanchanpur Market Road), 2. Leguwaghat-Bhojpur Road, 3. Manthali-Ramechhap Road, 4. Halesi-Diktel Road and 5. Mechipul-Chandragadhi-Birtamod Road.

Besides, the loan assistance will also support in the capacity development of the Department of Roads. By the implementation of this project, it will contribute to development and expansion of the Strategic Road Network (SRN) and expand connectivity with remote hilly areas to increase the economic activities in the project areas.

On the occasion, Secretary Subedi said economic development in Nepal is in snail’s pace due to lack of sufficient infrastructure and expressed gratitude to the ADB for its continuous assistance in Nepal’s key sectors such as agriculture and natural resources, education, energy, finance, transport and information and communication technology.

Resident Director Yokoyama said the ADB has attached topmost priority to the infrastructure development of Nepal and urged the Government of Nepal for the fastest and effective implementation of the project.The ADB is providing assistance for socio-economic development of Nepal for the past 40 years. RSS