ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $320 million loan to enhance road safety and connectivity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, ARY News reported. The project will upgrade 900 kilometers of rural roads, focusing on areas prone to flooding and in need of repair.
According to the ADB, these improvements will connect remote communities to vital services like education, healthcare, and markets. The project also includes climate-resilient designs, road safety features, and long-term maintenance plans.
“Road transport is essential for the people of Pakistan and plays a crucial role in the country’s economic growth,” said Yevgeniy Zhukov, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia. He emphasized that the project will reduce travel time, lower costs, and boost access to economic opportunities in underserved regions.
The province has faced increased rainfall and temperature changes in recent years, damaging the road network and increasing transportation costs. The ADB will provide technical and financial support for long-term improvements to make the roads more resilient to climate-related disasters.
ADB Senior Transport Specialist Seunghyun Kim added that the bank will help conduct studies on flood and landslide risks to prioritize road improvements and support sustainable contracts for maintaining key tourism routes.
Pakistan, a founding member of the ADB, has received over $52 billion in loans and grants from the bank since 1966 to support its infrastructure, energy, and transport sectors.