The Finance Ministry announced that the upcoming roads will integrate design features for climate and disaster resilience, incorporating innovative road safety elements. These roads will also include facilities tailored to the specific needs of the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.

The loan agreement was signed by Juhi Mukherjee, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, representing India, and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) India Resident Mission, representing ADB.

Following the signing, Mukherjee emphasised that the project aims to improve connectivity in the state road network across 14 districts, promoting balanced economic development in Madhya Pradesh.

"Since 2002, ADB has been actively involved in supporting road development in Madhya Pradesh, upgrading over 9,000 kilometres of state highways and major district roads. This project builds on those efforts, connecting rural areas to growth centres and industrial corridors, while establishing roads that are not only better and safer but also more resilient to climate impacts," stated Konishi.

As part of the initiative, ADB will enhance the capacity of the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRDC) in climate change adaptation, disaster resilience, and road safety within road network planning and management. The project will also facilitate the development of strategies and plans for incorporating green technology in road construction and establishing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.