The World Bank (WB) has approved US$75 million as additional financing to help Nepal's efforts at improving all-weather road access in remote districts of the western regions and carrying out periodic maintenance of the national strategic roads network.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, the World Bank said that earlier it has given 42.6 million dollars for the road sector development project to Nepal and this time the additional financial support will help the government of Nepal to extend and complete the upgrading of 405 km of dry season roads.

Susan Goldmark, the WB Country Director for Nepal said that " the road sector development project has exceeded its original targets despite often difficult conditions. The remarkable progress speaks to the fact that roads are a high priority for people living in remote areas and that they find ways to overcome differences to achieve their collective interests. The additional financing will help over 1.4 million more Nepalese benefits from all weather roads."

The project also supports the maintenance of the roads and support institutional strengthening of the department of roads and the roads board of Nepal, as well as support the National Vigilance Center in carrying out technical audits of the roads, reads the statement.

"Nepal has the second lowest road network density in South Asia, " said Surendra Govinga Joshi, Transport Specialist of the WB. He further said that only about 40 percent of the population has access to paved roads within 20 minutes walking distance. Out of 75 districts in Nepal, 17 are still deprived of all weather access to the main transport," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 24, 2010)