AIIB Hatikumrul Bonpara Jhenaidah Road Improvement Project Phase I

T he Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is providing technical support to assess and prioritize climate resilience and adaptation solutions in phase I of the project. The impact of the asset’s resilience on jobs, trade and rural logistics will be evaluated by the GCA at a high-level, in articulation with the AIIB and WBG WeCARE objectives. 
  
With the objective of providing efficient, safe, and resilient connectivity along a regional transport corridor in western Bangladesh, the World Bank Group launched the Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement (WeCARE) Program in 2020. Aligned with the World Bank’s WeCARE, AIIB launched a project with the Road Transport and Highways Division (RHD) of the Ministry of Roads, Transport and Bridges (MoRTB) to improve a section of the primary road network in Western Bangladesh. The target road length is 152.5km, which connects Jhenaidah and Hatikumrul, via Bonpara, to be completed in two phases. The project aims to improve cross-district integration, rural logistics and food security for around 5 million people living around the area.  
  
The Road Transport and Highways Division (RHD) has prepared a detailed technical design for the project forward after conducting due diligence. The current feasibility design is being further reviewed to alleviate road safety and climate change-related risks. Within the context, AIIB requested GCA’s assistance to increase climate resilience in the Hatikumrul – Bonpara – Jhenaidah Phase I Road Improvement Project and to ensure RHD has proper guidelines to align the project with Paris Agreement. Project`s final deliverables obtained in February 2024. 

Investment Value Influenced by GCA

$832 million

Beneficiaries

Road users of Western Economic Corridor

Implementation Period

2024-2027

Partner

GCA’s Added Value

GCA is providing the following upstream technical assistance to the project: 

  • Preliminary analysis to ensure that the project is aligned with the Paris Agreement as per the framework for assessment “BB1 and BB2 Technical Note: Joint MDB Assessment Framework for Paris Alignment for Direct Investment Operations 
  • Quantifying key climate hazards and their corresponding impacts on assets and services. 
  • Identifying and appraising relevant adaptation and resilience options, with a focus on Nature Based Solutions and other hybrid green-grey solutions. 
  • Prioritizing adaptation and resilience options to integrate within the investment project. 

Expected Outcomes

GCA’s support for the Roads and Highways Department and the AIIB will climate-proof the investment and reinforce the following project outcomes:  

  • Develop and secure transportation services along the Western Bangladesh corridor.   
  • Improve and secure rural logistics from and to urban centers.    
  • Upgrade road’s condition in all sections by informing operations and maintenance strategies.   
  • Reduce travel costs and time for commercial and public service vehicles and supply chain.   
  • Create jobs.