The Government of India and Asian Development Bank (ADB) today signed a 295 million dollar loan agreement to upgrade around 265 kilometer State highways in Bihar. The project supports the government of Bihar’s programme to upgrade all State highways to standard two-lane widths and improve road safety. The improved roads will enhance connectivity in some of Bihar's poorest rural districts and promote access to health and education facilities, and markets to improve people’s lives. The project will also encourage women’s participation by providing employment to female workers in construction works. Training in livelihood, as well as awareness of road safety, health, hygiene, abuse, and harassment, will be offered to women from communities in the project areas.
 
The signatories to the agreement for the Enhancing Connectivity and Sustainability in Bihar Roads Project were the Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Vumlunmang Vualnam, and the Country Director for ADB in India, Takeo Konishi.
 
Since 2008, ADB has provided five loans totaling 1.63 billion dollars to the State of Bihar, for the upgradation of about one thousand 696 kilometer State highways and construction of a new bridge over the Ganga River.