World Bank gives $18 million for Mizo Road development

New Delhi, May 23 (UNI) The World Bank today approved additional financing of 18 million dollars to Mizoram, designed to improve the management and carrying capacity of the State's core road network.

The additional financing for the Mizoram State Roads Project, which was approved by the World Bank on March 14, 2002, will bridge a financing gap caused by higher cost of works and construction materials, beyond the control of the State Government.

In Mizoram, single-lane, poorly constructed and maintained mountain and hill roads are the only mode of transport. The poor physical condition of the State's road network pushes up the cost of passenger and freight transport.

"This project addresses the transport access needs for one of India's most remote and isolated States," Mr Arnab Bandyopadhyay, World Bank Senior Transport Engineer and project team leader, said.

"It provides enhanced transport accessibility to education, health services and employment opportunities for about 70 per cent of the State's population thereby significantly contributing to the development and poverty alleviation," a Bank statement issued here said.

The project aims to expand or rehabilitate more than 500 kms of the State's core road network--around half of the State's total core network. So far, around 210 km maintenance roads have been completed and opened to traffic, reducing travel time of about 50 per cent. In addition, 42 per cent of the core road network has been improved to good condition and maintenance backlog has decreased to 800 km from 1,000 km.

The credit is provided by the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's concessionary lending arm and has 35 years to maturity and a 10-year grace period.

UNI