ADB Approves $110 Million Loan to Boost Skills in Gujarat

16 Jun 2025 CW Team

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 109.97 million (Rs 9.27 billion) results-based loan to support Gujarat’s efforts to become a global industrial hub by developing a future-ready, skilled workforce.

The funding will back the Gujarat skills development programme, led by the Department of Labour, Skill Development and Employment in collaboration with Kaushalya: The Skill University (KSU). The initiative aims to equip the workforce with advanced, industry-aligned skills to meet rising employment demand in high-growth sectors.

According to ADB, the programme seeks to strengthen institutional and managerial capacity across the KSU network and improve access to high-quality technical training that incorporates cutting-edge technologies. It is also designed to transform governance and outcomes in the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system, setting a replicable model for other Indian states.

Focusing on seven priority industries—logistics, automotive, manufacturing, IT, renewable energy, healthcare, and agri-tech—the programme includes upgrading 11 mega industrial training institutes (ITIs), setting up centres of excellence, and establishing a hub-and-spoke model with private training providers under KSU’s leadership.

Training courses will be co-designed with industry partners to ensure alignment with market demands and evolving job trends, thereby improving job-readiness and employability of Gujarat’s workforce.

Infrastructure Transport

06 May 2026

Pune To Build Nine Km Link Road Between Highways

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint an expert to plan the development of a nine km long, 60 metre wide road from Khadi Machine chowk to Wadki chowk as an extension to the Katraj-Kondhwa road to link the Mumbai-Satara and Pune-Solapur national highways. The scheme is intended to divert heavy vehicle traffic away from the city and improve access between the two arterial routes. The project has been prioritised by the PMC and forms part of a larger set of schemes in which 19 roads have been identified for development at a combined cost of Rs 9.82 billion (bn) to address c..

Barabanki Bahraich Six Lane Highway Approved in Uttar Pradesh

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved construction of a new six-lane highway linking Barabanki and Bahraich as part of National Highway 927, and the cabinet has cleared the project. The alignment will pass through Mustafabad and Kaiserganj and extend for about 101.5 km, creating a key corridor for local and long-distance movement. The National Highways Authority of India will oversee the work and has signalled the scheme is intended to strengthen regional connectivity and cross-border access to Nepal. The project carries an estimated total cost of Rs 69,690 million, equivalent to Rs 69.69..

Toll At Kharegaon Likely As Highway Upgrade Nears Completion

A section of the highway at Kharegaon has undergone an upgrade and is approaching completion, and authorities have indicated plans for a toll to be introduced once works finish. The project has focused on strengthening the carriageway, improving drainage and upgrading intersections to enhance safety and capacity. Officials have said the toll will be used to recover construction costs and fund ongoing maintenance. The upgrade included resurfacing of the pavement, widening of certain stretches and installation of modern signage and lighting to reduce accident risk. Contractors completed most ma..