Date:16/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/16/stories/2008021654060500.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

State seeks more WB, ADB loans

Nagesh Prabhu

3,411 km of roads to be developed

The funds will be utilised to improve road connectivity to taluks
KSHIP-I had developed 2,381 km of State highways

BANGALORE: The State Government has decided to seek higher amount of credit from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for executing the proposed 3,411 km State roads at an estimated cost of Rs. 6,246 crore under the Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project II (KSHIP-II).

The Public Works Department, which has prepared the proposal, requested to the Union Department of Economic Affairs to recommend to the World Bank to increase allocation from $ 200 million to $ 300 million and to the ADB from $ 300 million to $ 330 million.

Earlier, based on the PWD’s proposal, the Union Department of Economic Affairs has recommended to the World Bank and the ADB to grant $ 200 and $ 300 million loans to the State Government under the KSHIP-II. Now the PWD has requested to the Union Department of Economic Affairs to make suitable recommendation to both external agencies to enhance the loan component, official sources in the Secretariat said.

The KSHIP - I, which commenced in 2001 with funds provided by the World Bank, developed 2,381 km of State highways at a cost of Rs. 2,030 crore. The project was completed last year. It improved the core network of State highways and traffic in major district roads which would spur economic activity in the coming years.

The PWD has prepared detailed project report for developing roads under two packages. Under stage–I, it has proposed to develop roads with the World Bank loan and stage–II under with the ABD’s assistance. The Kumaraswamy Government had cleared the KSHIP–II.

The proposed KSHIP-II would be utilised for road connectivity to taluks which are still not connected by good roads. According to a survey conducted by the PWD, the headquarters of 53 taluks are not linked to National Highways or roads constructed by Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited, or those under the KSHIP–I.

For instance, of five taluks in Kolar district, the headquarters of two taluks — Bangarpet and Malur — are not connected.

The headquarters of five taluks in Gulbarga, four in Bijapur, three each in Tumkur, Belgaum and Bidar, and two each in Bangalore Rural, Hassan and Kodagu districts are deprived of them. Road connectivity in these taluks would help boost economic activities.