Asian Development Bank (ADB) has granted $190 million in funding for a project to upgrade rural roads and enhance socio-economic centers in rural areas of Bangladesh. 

The initiative, known as the ‘Rural Connectivity Improvement Project,’ is the second additional financing for the project, according to the ADB.

The funding will be utilized to expand the improvement of rural road networks, introduce innovative features for climate and disaster resilience, and enhance road asset management to improve living conditions in rural areas.

This project will have several benefits, including improved transport efficiency and reliability in rural regions, increased agricultural productivity, and the generation of employment opportunities to support the country’s sustainable economic growth, explained ADB Principal Rural Development Specialist Masahiro Nishimura.

Initially approved in November 2018, the ongoing project aimed to upgrade approximately 1,700 kilometers of rural roads while strengthening the capacity of rural infrastructure agencies and road users. 

However, since 2020, over 900 kilometers of rural roads have already been added to the original target, highlighting the project’s progress.

The additional funding will extend the improvement efforts to another 1,350 kilometers of rural roads, adhering to all-weather standards and incorporating climate resilience and safety features. 

The funding will provide equipment and trucks to 180 mobile road maintenance offices at the subdistrict level, known as upazilas, and strengthen the capabilities of the Local Government Engineering Department in implementing nature-based bioengineering solutions for climate change adaptation.

The ADB’s financial support will play a crucial role in upgrading rural infrastructure in Bangladesh, enhancing connectivity, and improving the overall quality of life for rural communities. 

The project aims to create a sustainable and resilient road network, facilitating rural economic opportunities and social development.