With an aim to develop road network in the State, the World Bank has assured a grant of Rs3,500 crore under Uttar Pradesh Core Road Network Development Programme in which new State highways would be constructed and old would be renovated. A senior official in Chief Minister’s office said that Union Finance Ministry has approved the World Bank grant with a condition that State Government should pay 30 per cent additional grant. “The World Bank has agreed to give Rs2,450 crore and if 30 per cent share of the State Government is added to it UP will have Rs3,500 crore to spruce up its road network,” the official told The Pioneer.
This money would be used for constructing 419 km long new roads and widening of almost 1,000 km long five State highways. This project will come under Uttar Pradesh Core Road Network Development Programme. Besides, this money would be used for construction of a bridge over river Sharda at Pachpedi ghat in lakhimpur Khiri. This is expected to be the longest road bridge in Uttar Pradesh. “This project will start immediately and is expected to complete by 2017. The officials have been asked to work in a time bound manner so that it could be completed within stipulated time,” the official said.