KATHMANDU, Sept 28: The World Bank on Wednesday approved US$ 133 million credit to Nepal to help the country build and maintain safe, resilient and cost-effective bridges on its Strategic Roads Network.

Issuing a statement on Thursday, the multilateral development partner said that the credit is targeted to provide support to approximately 477 bridges in Nepal in different ways.

"The credit facility, Second Bridges Improvement and Maintenance Program (BIMP II), takes aim at ensuring that the government's bridge development efforts can support the connectivity required for economic growth and development across Nepal's provinces," the World Bank said in the statement. “This includes maintenance support to approximately 90 bridges and upgrading road safety measures on approximately 180 existing bridges to help reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on Nepal's roads.”

According to the World Bank, the program will also support construction, rehabilitation or replacement of approximately 80 new two-lane bridges and 35 four-lane bridges. "In addition, it will help the Department of Roads complete construction of 92 bridges that are vital to improving connectivity and access throughout Nepal,” it added.

Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Manager for Nepal, said in the statement that the World Bank hopes that the improvement of bridges in the most crucial road network of the country will lead to increased and easier access for all the people in Nepal, while reducing the cost and time of transport and trade.

 
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