The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan of USD 484 million to improve transport connectivity and road maintenance in the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC) in Tamil Nadu.

CKIC is part of India’s East Coast Economic Corridor, which stretches from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu and connects India to production networks of South-East and East Asia.

The project aims to increase the manufacturing industry’s participation in production networks and global value chains, as well as create jobs along the corridor.

The project will upgrade about 590 km state highways in the CKIC influence areas. Climate change adaptation measures will be incorporated in the highway upgrades, including improved drainage, raised road embankments in critical sections and resizing of bridges and culverts.

The project will strengthen road safety improvement programmes through advanced technologies for road monitoring and enforcement. In addition, the project will support improved planning capacity of Tamil Nadu’s Highways and Minor Ports Department.