By Abdul Ghani

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government plans to build and rehabilitate 980.9 kilometres of roads and 34 bridges in 18 districts by November 2029 under the Rural Roads Development Project (KP-RRDP), according to the documents available with Wealth Pakistan.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of Rs105.45 billion (approximately US$370 million). The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on February 7, 2024, while the loan agreement was signed on September 16, 2024.

The program aims to improve rural access to markets, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities by upgrading transport infrastructure across 18 districts of the province.

The project is being implemented by the provincial Communication and Works Department, with Minconsult SDN BHD and Creative Engineering Consultants (JV) serving as supervisory consultants.

The official plan provides for the rehabilitation and construction of 474.2 kilometres of flood-damaged roads, 324.4 kilometres of rural access roads, and 182.3 kilometres of tourism roads, bringing the total road network under the project to 980.9 kilometres.

Thirty-four bridges will also be constructed under the program to improve connectivity in remote and disaster-prone regions.

District-wise allocations show that Dera Ismail Khan receives the largest share of flood road rehabilitation, covering 207.5 kilometres, while Chitral has the highest combined allocation of 192.1 kilometres, including 153 kilometres of flood roads, 22 kilometres of access roads, and 17.1 kilometres of tourism roads.

The other districts included in the program are Karak, Kohat, Bannu, Malakand, Charsadda, Buner, Swabi, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Swat, Shangla, Upper and Lower Kohistan, Battagram, Haripur, Mansehra and Torghar.

The cost breakup shows that Rs100.86 billion has been earmarked for civil works, including road rehabilitation, tourism access routes, bridge construction, utility relocation, and contingencies. An additional Rs3.78 billion has been allocated for consultancy services, while Rs813 million will be spent on project management, institutional strengthening, and horticultural activities.

According to the implementation schedule, the ADB-funded programme will remain operational until November 25, 2029.

Credit: INP-WealthPk