Peshawar: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated a substantial $320 million loan for the rehabilitation of rural roads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), aiming to improve access and connectivity for remote communities in the region.

According to Zameen.Com, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Roads Development Project will upgrade around 900 kilometers of roads that are susceptible to flooding. This initiative will incorporate climate-resilient designs, enhance road safety, and instill sustainable maintenance practices to ensure long-lasting infrastructure improvements.

The project is expected to decrease travel times, reduce transportation costs, and expand access to essential services like education and healthcare, ultimately benefiting millions of residents. Yevgeniy Zhukov, ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, highlighted the project’s role in fostering inclusive economic growth in one of Pakistan’s most underserved areas.

Additional components of the project include conducting a comprehensive study on flood susceptibility and landslide vulnerability to strategically prioritize road upgrades. The ADB is also assisting the local government in developing concessional contracts for the operation and maintenance of two key tourism roads to promote sustainable tourism infrastructure.