World Bank aid for Nepal road projects

NEPAL: The World Bank has agreed to provide an additional assistance amounting to 3.01 billion Nepali rupees (some 42.39 million U.S. dollars) to help scale up Nepal's efforts at improving the rural road network. Issuing a press statement here on Monday, the global body said that an agreement was signed by Finance Secretary Rameshwore Prasad Khanal and Susan G Goldmark, country director of the World Bank, on behalf of their respective authorities.

Nepal's road network and quality are among the lowest in the South Asia region. The headquarters of six of Nepal's 75 districts are yet to be connected by road. Improving these inoperable roads to an all-weather standard and implementing a system of regular maintenance is essential for Nepal's economic growth and social welfare, the statement said.

Kathmandu, Tuesday, Xinhua