World Bank approves $120-mn loan for road upgrade in NE

The World Bank has approved a loan worth $120 million to improve road connectivity in Meghalaya. From the approved funding, the Meghalaya Integrated Transport Project (MITP) project will upgrade 300-km of state highways, including major district and urban roads. The MITP project includes the construction of three major bridges and missing links in strategic corridors connecting the under-served communities to the mainstream. The road upgrade, among others, will cater to major agriculture areas, tourism, small-scale industries, major towns and deprived populations by linking them to markets, health and education centres. Currently, about half of the 5,362 habitations in Meghalaya lack transport connectivity and the mega project is expected to help Meghalaya in emerging as a major connecting hub for trade with neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. The project is also envisioned to support innovative solutions such as precast bridges to reduce both time and construction cost.