ADB approves about Rs 47 billion for highway expansion and road safety

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced approval of about Rs 47 billion in financial support for Nepal's highway expansion, road safety and wildlife conservation.

According to ADB, the funds will widen about 70 km of the Narayangadh-Hetauda section of the East-West Highway from two lanes to four lanes. About 8.7 km of the Mugling-Abukhaireni section of the Prithvi Highway will also be upgraded to four lanes.

Under the project, structures will be built to ease the movement of animals at the Barandabhar wildlife corridor in Chitwan. Funds will also go toward reducing flood and landslide risk, improving the safety of roads and bridges, and building structures that can withstand the effects of climate change.

According to ADB, the total support includes about $285 million in loans, about $20 million in grants and about $750,000 in technical assistance. The grant funds will run programs for biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism development and income-generation opportunities for women.