India to develop projects worth $5 billion with ADB support

As the focus on improving regional connectivity continues, India is developing various infrastructure projects worth $5 billion in South Asia through the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Indian government is optimistic about improving regional connectivity through sub-regional cooperation. “With ADB support, India is presently developing two priority road corridors. The first will connect India with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan through the ‘chicken neck’ area of North Bengal”, Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said on May 10. Mr Das was speaking at the South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) 2025 workshop. “The second road corridor will establish India-Myanmar connectivity in Manipur”, he said. Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at Agartala and Petrapole on the India-Bangladesh border will be operationalised, he added. Emphasising on India’s connectivity with its eastern neighbours, Mr Das said, “Another ICP at Moreh on the India-Myanmar border will be developed. We are also planning to establish ICPs and improved Land Customs Stations (LCS) at key border points with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan to ease the movement of goods and people within the sub-region.” “India is planning to develop regional connectivity projects worth almost $5 billion in SASEC”, he added. India has played a significant role in helping its neighbours in the power sector. “The India-Bangladesh transmission line is providing safe and reliable interconnection of the power grids to supply 500 MW of power to Bangladesh”, Mr Das said. India has also recently launched a major port-led development initiative called ‘Sagarmala’. The main aim of this initiative is to help in the modernisation of ports and coastlines, which will contribute more to growth. “Apart from the modernisation of the existing ports in the east coast, India is developing two new ports on the same coast line at Dugarajapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Sagar Island in West Bengal. These ports will further enhance our trade with the neighbours and ASEAN countries”, Mr Das said.