India: Andhra Pradesh Rural Roads

approved

The project consists of the following components: Component 1: Construction of new connectivity consisting of (i) Construction of about 2,350 km of bitumen paved roads in the locations with normal soil; (ii) Construction of about 2,450 km of cement concrete paved roads, in the locations with soft soil; and (iii) Construction of bridges and hydraulic structures (culverts and drainage channels), including 18 major bridges, to increase connectivity of the roads during the monsoon season. Component 2: Technical Assistance consisting of (i) Engagement of a Project Management Consultant firm (PMC) (and individual consultants, as needed) to assist in managing the project, including planning, implementation supervision, monitoring and reporting progress of the project to the counterpart and to the Bank; (ii) Engagement of a consulting firm to conduct Technical Reviews/ Audit of the project, to review all activities of the project implementation, and propose measures / actions leading to possible enhancement of the project implementation and its quality and quantity control; (iii) Engagement of a consulting firm to monitor implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plan and other actions defined during the project preparation; (iv) A pilot project using modern technology, for example, using drones to monitor construction of roads during the project implementation, covering a limited geographical area; (v) Development of a digitized map of A.P's rural roads network and connection to a geographic information system (GIS) for real-time communication, which will be used to provide real time updates of the works progress during construction and post contract phase; and (vi) Institutional development and capacity building of PRED through trainings, workshops and study tours in overseas locations in the areas of transport planning and management, contract law and contract models, economic analysis and environmental engineering.