A World Bank Project has been signed to support Himachal Pradesh under which the state government would get $112 million (Rs. 840 crore) for strengthening its transport and road safety network by improving the condition of roads, improving safety, resilience and engineering standards of roads.
In this project of Rs. 840 crore, the project cost of $82 million (Rs.615 crore) would be share of the World Bank and $30 million (Rs. 225 crore) would be borne by the state government. This is the first project under which a loan agreement has been signed with the World Bank after Covid-19 pandemic outbreak in the Country.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said there are three components under tranche-I of the project.
CM said, “The first component of the project would includes construction, flexibility and improvement of Transport Institutions in the state. HP State Road and Other Infrastructure Development Corporation would be re-established and operated, commercialisation of operation of labour and maintenance of Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department, setting up of Himachal Pradesh Motor Vehicle Administration, strengthening of Himachal Pradesh Transport Department and development of logistic system and strategy would be undertaken”.
“The second component of the project includes encouraging horticulture and overall economic development under which five roads of 127 kilometres have been identified for improvement, “he added.
CM said, “The third component consists of improvement of road safety, (Suraskshit Pranali) and (Surakshit Galiyara Pahal) to reduce the risk of deaths in fatal road accidents for which three pilot districts would be selected, besides strengthening of Road Safety Cell of Himachal Pradesh Transport Department.”
“ Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS) would also be expanded, speed control, training, variable messaging system, strengthening traffic police with technical assistance (CCTV) for Emergency Response System, ambulances and first aid kits would be provided for developing community road safety programmes and road safety advisory services,” CM said .
He said that provision has been made to complete Tranche-I within a period of six years. After which 523 kilometre roads would be upgraded under Tranche-II and Tranche-III, for which the World Bank would provide additional funds.