Orissa to avail Rs 1,070 crore loan from World Bank

Bhubaneswar, Jul 21 (UNI) The Orissa government has signed an agreement with the World Bank for availing Rs 1,070 crore loan (approximately USD 250 million) for constructing roads in the state.

Official sources said here today that the loan negotiation was completed after a high level team, led by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary R N Bahidar, had dicussions with the World Bank officials during July 14-18 at Washington DC.

The loan would be utilised for the improvement of 461 km of state roads to two-lane roads and constructing a high level bridge over river Bansdhara near Gumuda.

The loan amount excluded the Orissa government's share of 20 per cent.

Out of of the 461 km, 204 km, comprising Bhawanipatna-Khariar (68 km) Chandbali-Bhadrak-Anandpur (95 km) and Berhampur-Taptapani (41 km), would be taken up in the first phase while the improvement of the rest 257 km would be undertaken in the second phase.

The second phase projects included the Taptapani-Raipanka (68 km) Raipanka-J K Pur (83 km) and Jagatpur-Chandbali (106 km).

The sources said the contract for Berhampur-Taptapani road had already been awarded and bids for Bhawanipatna-Khariar and Chandbali-Bhadrak-Anandpur roads were under evaluation.

Besides, feasibility reports and bid documents for three more roads were being prepared for improvement in Public Private Partnership mode for which World Bank was financing the consultancy services out of Project Preparatory Facility advance.

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