Nepali government has received an international award for its innovative road program -- Rural Access Program (RAP) -- which is expected to reduce poverty through road building, The Himalayan Times reported on Wednesday.

The award was announced in Washington on Monday.

According to United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), RAP, funded by DFID, won the International Road Federation's 2009 Global Road Achievement Awards in the category of advocacy and lobbying.

RAP is designed to promote road transport infrastructure as a means of improving the livelihoods and economic development of the poorest in seven out of 75 districts in Nepal.

The reputation of RAP has allowed it to influence major national policies, including the government's three-year plan.

The government has now adopted labor-based, environment-friendly and participatory approach in its Local Infrastructure Development Guidelines and Rural Road Maintenance Directives.

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2010)