India inks $300 mn pact with ADB to boost rural economy in Maharashtra

09 Sep 2021 CW Team

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian government have entered a $300 million loan to help expand rural connectivity and boost the rural economy in Maharashtra.

Additional funding for the Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will help improve 1,100 rural roads and 230 bridges in 34 districts, totalling 2,900 km.

The project approved in August 2019, with a $200 million funding package, is already improving and maintaining the condition and safety of 2,100 km of rural roads across Maharashtra.

Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, signed for the Indian government, and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB India Resident Mission, signed for the Asian Development Bank.

Following the signing of the loan agreement, Mishra told the media that the additional funding will improve the condition and safety of 5,000 km of rural roads and over 200 bridges connecting rural communities to productive agricultural areas and socioeconomic centres in Maharashtra.

During the construction and maintenance phases, the new project is expected to generate about 3.1 million person-days of employment for local communities, with at least 25% of those being women.

A gender action plan has been developed to focus on building the capacity of female workers so that they can take advantage of semi-skilled and unskilled labour opportunities.

This additional funding will be used to repair and rebuild roads and bridges in Maharashtra that were damaged by the devastating floods of August 2019.

The design includes flood and climate resilience measures, as well as pilot testing the use of environmentally friendly materials on selected road segments, using mobile mapping technology to monitor project roads, and incorporating new technologies like fibre-reinforced concrete and precast concrete arch bridges.

Image Source

Also read: ADB nods $300 mn additional loan for Maharashtra’s rural roads

Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Indian government have entered a $300 million loan to help expand rural connectivity and boost the rural economy in Maharashtra. Additional funding for the Maharashtra Rural Connectivity Improvement Project will help improve 1,100 rural roads and 230 bridges in 34 districts, totalling 2,900 km. The project approved in August 2019, with a $200 million funding package, is already improving and maintaining the condition and safety of 2,100 km of rural roads across Maharashtra. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, signed for the Indian government, and Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB India Resident Mission, signed for the Asian Development Bank. Following the signing of the loan agreement, Mishra told the media that the additional funding will improve the condition and safety of 5,000 km of rural roads and over 200 bridges connecting rural communities to productive agricultural areas and socioeconomic centres in Maharashtra. During the construction and maintenance phases, the new project is expected to generate about 3.1 million person-days of employment for local communities, with at least 25% of those being women. A gender action plan has been developed to focus on building the capacity of female workers so that they can take advantage of semi-skilled and unskilled labour opportunities. This additional funding will be used to repair and rebuild roads and bridges in Maharashtra that were damaged by the devastating floods of August 2019. The design includes flood and climate resilience measures, as well as pilot testing the use of environmentally friendly materials on selected road segments, using mobile mapping technology to monitor project roads, and incorporating new technologies like fibre-reinforced concrete and precast concrete arch bridges. Image Source Also read: ADB nods $300 mn additional loan for Maharashtra’s rural roads

Infrastructure Urban

19 Sep 2025

Tata Steel Awards Contract To John Cockerill India

Tata Steel Limited has awarded John Cockerill India Limited a major contract for the engineering, design, manufacture, and supply of a Push-Pull Pickling Line (PPPL) and Spray Roaster Acid Regeneration Plant (ARP) at its Jamshedpur Tinplate Division in Jharkhand. The scope also includes supervision of erection and commissioning to meet full performance guarantees.The PPPL will have an annual capacity of 350,000 tonnes, capable of handling strip widths up to 1,350 mm and thicknesses of up to 3.8 mm at speeds of 120 metres per minute. John Cockerill will draw on its expertise from over 150 refer..

Infrastructure Urban

19 Sep 2025

Purple Finance AUM Crosses Rs1.55 Billion In FY25

Purple Finance has reported strong growth in FY25, with its loan portfolio tripling and assets under management surpassing Rs1.55 billion. The company, which operates more than 40 branches across six states, now serves over 2,500 MSME borrowers, primarily in tier III and IV cities and district towns.Through a hybrid model combining digital origination with a local on-ground network, Purple Finance has expanded its footprint while maintaining asset quality. The lender focuses on small-ticket secured business loans, income-generation credit, and customised products for micro-entrepreneurs.Lookin..

Infrastructure Urban

19 Sep 2025

Metropolis Acquires Ambika Pathology To Boost Maharashtra Presence

Metropolis Healthcare Limited (NSE: METROPOLIS | BSE: 542650), India’s second-largest pathology laboratory chain led by Ameera Shah, has completed its fourth acquisition in the past 10 months with the addition of Dr R.S. Patil’s Ambika Pathology Laboratory in Kolhapur. The NABL-accredited facility has joined the Metropolis network through a Business Transfer Agreement.Established in 1995 by Dr Rajendra Sadashiv Patil, Ambika Pathology is one of the leading diagnostic providers in the region. It operates a central laboratory supported by 12 patient touchpoints and offers a wide range of tes..