The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $400 million results-based lending (RBL) program to significantly improve road connectivity and regional mobility across Maharashtra. The initiative targets 34 districts, with special emphasis on the climate-vulnerable and economically underdeveloped areas of Marathwada and Vidarbha.
The program will upgrade approximately 350 km of state highways and 2,577 km of rural roads, aiming to bridge critical access gaps for rural communities. The improved road network is expected to provide smoother connectivity to markets, agricultural mandis, logistics centers, schools, hospitals, and key public services.
By strengthening last-mile connectivity, the initiative is designed to promote economic inclusion, reduce travel time, and enhance access to essential socio-economic opportunities in some of Maharashtra’s most underserved regions. The upgraded road network will also play a key role in improving climate resilience, particularly for remote communities often affected by extreme weather and infrastructural gaps.
The approval marks another step in ADB’s ongoing support for India’s infrastructure development, particularly in states seeking to boost rural connectivity and improve the overall quality of transportation networks.