The Japan Special Fund, financed by the Government of Japan, and administered by ADB, is extending a grant of $1.5 million equivalent for the Karnataka State Highway Network Improvement Strategy. It will be used to draw up a plan for a core network of roads that will support the state's push to expand the agriculture, mining, industry and tourism sectors, and to improve connectivity with other forms of transport.

“The assistance will enhance the efficiency of planning, programming and policy formulation in the sector, so that the percentage of links on the core road network where the volume of traffic exceeds capacity is cut by 30% in the next five years, and 70% in the next 10 years,” said Prodyut Dutt, Senior Transport Specialist of ADB's South Asia Department.

The project will identify the required corridor routes, likely traffic demand over 10 years, and infrastructure standards needed to support the government's development plans. Funds will be used to strengthen the capabilities and focus of the agencies involved in policy formulation, planning, managing and maintaining state roads - the newly created, Karnataka State Highways, Traffic and Transport Authority, and the Karnataka Public Works Department.

“Identifying, planning and financing a 25,000 kilometer core road network is necessary to support the state's socioeconomic development, and this technical assistance will help the Government of Karnataka develop the capacity to implement its road sector policy approved in March this year,” Mr. Dutt said.

Along with the Government of Japan and ADB, the state government will provide in-kind funds of $375,000, for a total cost of $1.875 million. The Karnataka Public Works Department will be the executing agency. It will be followed up by further technical assistance to prepare the way for possible ADB-financed road projects.#