Guwahati, 2nd March: The World Bank has given the green light to the Assam Resilient Rural Bridges Program, a comprehensive initiative aimed at bolstering connectivity for more than 1.8 million rural residents, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Valued at $452 million, the program seeks to fortify the resilience and upkeep of roads and bridges, ensuring year-round accessibility for inhabitants of 1,739 villages to essential facilities such as wholesale markets, educational institutions, healthcare centers, and workplaces. By facilitating improved connectivity, the program anticipates cost savings exceeding $82 million over the next six years, compared to previous expenditures associated with travel to these locations.
Moreover, the program will serve to link nearly 633,000 women-led textile and handicraft producers located within a 2-kilometer radius of roads or collection points. By establishing electronic vehicle facilities and logistics hubs through the program, access to regional markets will be enhanced while minimizing emissions.
Auguste Tano Kouamé, the World Bank’s Country Director for India, expressed confidence that the initiative will assist the Government of Assam in attracting private investment to create quality employment opportunities, elevate farmers’ incomes, and strengthen value chains, thereby fostering inclusive and diversified rural sector growth.
Furthermore, the program aims to enhance the financial and procurement processes of the Assam Public Works Roads Department by leveraging the state’s existing systems and providing training to enhance disaster risk management capabilities.
Task Team Leaders for the Program, Tesfamichael Mitiku, Anup Karanth, and BKM Ashraful Islam, underscored its role in bolstering women’s participation in bridge design, construction, and maintenance-related jobs, as well as in operating digital platforms at rural transportation hubs, with an anticipated increase of nearly 20 percent.
The program loan boasts a maturity period of 19 years, coupled with a grace period of 4.5 years, reflecting the long-term commitment of the World Bank to supporting Assam’s rural development objectives.
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