India and Asian Development Bank, ADB, today signed 200-million dollar loan agreement for upgrading rural roads in 34 districts of Maharashtra to improve road safety.

The agreement was signed between Sameer Kumar Khare, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance and Sabyasachi Mitra, Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

The Finance Ministry, in a release, said the project will improve the condition of about two thousand 100 kilometres of rural roads to all-weather standards.

Sameer Kumar Khare said, improving rural connectivity is one of the key priorities of the government, which will help enhance rural livelihoods and alleviate poverty.

He said, enhanced road connectivity and better access to markets will help farmers increase agricultural productivity and incomes.