The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million results-based lending program to support the state of Maharashtra in developing climate-resilient, low-carbon, safe, and inclusive road networks, with a focus on enhancing connectivity for rural communities. The Maharashtra Roads Connectivity for Inclusive Growth Program aims to improve all-weather road access across 34 districts, particularly in the climate-vulnerable and economically lagging Marathwada and Vidarbha regions, linking rural communities to markets, logistics hubs, healthcare, education, and other essential services. The upgrades will benefit over 1.7 million people, including residents of at least 80 villages and approximately 410 rural communities, covering nearly 350 kilometers of state highways and 2,577 kilometers of rural roads.
ADB Country Director for India, Mio Oka, highlighted that the program seeks to foster balanced and inclusive economic growth by improving connectivity to villages, post-harvest centers, and essential social services. Building on lessons from previous road projects, the initiative incorporates stronger provisions for road maintenance and safety, climate- and disaster-resilient infrastructure, adoption of advanced technologies, and expanded gender mainstreaming.
The program adopts a programmatic approach to enhance rural connectivity comprehensively by integrating state highways, major district roads, and rural road networks into rural development. The results-based lending modality allows implementing agencies to pool resources and align efforts toward shared outcomes, ensuring coordinated development assistance and common targets.
Road safety management will be strengthened using the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) methodology and the safe systems approach. The program will support safer road designs, including improvements at schools and village gateways, while building institutional capacity and training at least 120 engineers in road safety.
Promoting gender equality is a key aspect of the program, which will establish gender and safeguards units within implementing agencies, provide business spaces and nontraditional skills training for women, and fund stipend-based internship programs for at least 100 young women.
The initiative will also support the development of modern road and bridge information and asset management systems, incorporating multi-hazard climate and disaster risk assessments to guide long-term, lifecycle-based maintenance planning.
Founded in 1966 and owned by 69 members, 50 of which are from the region, ADB is a leading multilateral development bank committed to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. The Bank works with members and partners to address complex challenges, harnessing innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard the environment.
