ADB finances Bihar highways upgrade

Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed an agreement for $300 million in additional loan to upgrade 254 kilometres of severely deteriorated highways in northern and southern Bihar.The additional financing for the Bihar Highways Project II, which is already under implementation, will widen existing sections of four highways to two lanes, build and maintain bridges, and strengthen pavement.The project will also focus on improving the road design that will help address future flooding. To offset carbon emissions, the project will plant 10 trees for every individual tree cut for road widening. Solar panels will be used at construction sites to sequester carbon and reduce carbon emissions. The total cost of the project due to be completed by October, 2017 is $375 million with the Government of Bihar providing $75 million.

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