Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a US$74.8 million loan to develop road connectivity in the northeastern parts of India. The agenda involves improvement, upgradation and construction of roads in six states, namely, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura. A total of 433.7 km of road will be constructed under this project. Expected to be implemented in two stages, the loan is part of the first tranche of the North Eastern State Roads Investment Program, a $200 million multi-tranche finance facility (MFF). 

The loan agreement was signed by Venu Rajamony, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Indian government and Hun Kim, Country Director for India, on behalf of ADB. Mr. PR Meshram, Director in the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region and Commissioners and Secretaries of the states of Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim signed the project agreement. The project is expected to be completed by December, 2016.