The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to provide a $300m loan for the Uttar Pradesh Major District Roads Improvement Project in India. 

The project has been developed to support the state government’s Core Road Network Improvement Master Plan that aims to improve roads through a combination of state, private, and multilateral resources. It will see an upgrade of 430km of major district roads in the state.

Uttar Pradesh is India’s most populous state with nearly 200 million people and the largest rural population.

"This will provide critical road connectivity to the heartland of the state by upgrading major district roads to all-weather use and improved safety standards."

The decision was made after ADB president Takehiko Nakao met with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the state capital, Lucknow, and discussed future cooperation between ADB and the state.

On a three-day visit to India, Nakao has expressed his willingness to forge a long-term partnership with the authority of Uttar Pradesh, which intends to achieve a quick and inclusive growth by boosting per capita income.

Asian Development Bank president Takehiko Nakao said: "The project is a milestone for ADB to begin our partnership with the state of Uttar Pradesh, and will provide critical road connectivity to the heartland of the state by upgrading major district roads to all-weather use and improved safety standards."

ADB could also extend its support the state in building smart cities, intelligent urban transport management, state and district roads, rapid rail transport, and electricity distribution.

Image: President Nakao meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, at Lucknow on 27 June. Photo: courtesy of The Asian Development Bank.