ADB clears $200-mn for rural roads in M'rashtra

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan for improving road infrastructure in 34 districts of Maharashtra to better connect rural areas with markets and services. Under the exercise, roads in rural areas would be upgraded to all-weather standards, which will boost links between local residents and economic centres across the state, said ADB Principal Portfolio Management Specialist Sanath Ranawana. Maharashtra accounted for almost 15 percent of the gross domestic product, however, economic development is concentrated around the urban centres of Mumbai, Pune, and Thane. About 20 million people, or 17 percent of the state‘s population, still live below the national poverty line, while in some districts — particularly in rural areas - it is as high as 40 percent. The upgraded roads under the ADB project will boost links between local residents, productive agricultural land, and economic centers across the state. Improving farming communities’ access to markets will help boost agricultural productivity and incomes, and promote investment in agribusiness and agriculture value chain infrastructure.