The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Rs 1500-crore loan to Chhattisgarh for developing road infrastructure in the state.
A high-level delegation of ADB met the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Raman Singh, and discussed about the project. The Chief Minister had directed the state's public works department officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR).
According to department officials, after getting the DPR, tenders will be invited for the work. The Chief Minister had asked to complete the tendering process at the earliest and start work on the project by December 2011.
Under the project, the state plans to develop 1500 km of roads. The department officials said that the project was estimated to cost Rs 2250 crore. Of it, Rs 1500 crore would be provided by the ADB as loan while remaining Rs 750 crore would be the share of Chhattisgarh government.
The state government had earlier developed 300 km road between Maanpur and Bilaspur with the aid provided by the ADB. The project was completed about two and a half years ago.
The roads that will be developed under the project include Raipur-Balodabazar, Nandghat-Balodabazar-Kasdol, Shivarinarayan-Champa, Abhanpur-Patan-Durg, Simga-Navapara-Kurud, Rajnandgaon-Antagarh, Ratanpur-Mungeli, Rajim-Deobhog, Buderani-Dhamtari, Balod-Dhamtari, Chankhuri-Khamaria.
The work on Dhamdha-Khairagarh, Chilfi-Rengakhar, Dongargarh-Khairagarh-Tumribod, Raipur-Urla-Kodwa, Balodabazar-Bilaspur, Kasabel-Bagicha, Jairamnagar-Lavan, Kawardha-Fasterpur, Korba-Lemru and LemruUrga roads will also be taken up under the project, the officials said.