THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A team of World Bank officials will reach the state on Monday to review the second phase of Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP). The visit is a prelude to the crucial World Bank Mission which is expected in January. World Bank team is expected to conduct pre-mission talks with PWD Minister V K Ebrahimkunju and other officials. “World Bank officials, including Simon Ellis and Arnab Bandyopadhyay, are in the country to review road projects in Karnataka. They are expected to make a visit to the state on Monday,” an official said. Simon Ellis will be the head of World Bank Mission which reviews KSTP phase II. Bandyopadhyay was the head of World Bank team of KSTP phase I.The World Bank expressed interest in sending its first mission during its talks with PWD officials in New Delhi two weeks ago. The World Bank Mission is expected to clear the hurdles regarding the funding for KSTP phase II. The KSTP officials can initiate works once the World Bank Mission issues aide- memoire. Around Rs 650 crore ($ 141 million) has been sought from the World Bank for the project covering 367.40 km. The project would be in annuity mode.Second phase of the project aims at improving eight corridors which include upgradation of 27.76-km Kasargod-Kanhangad Road, 20.90-km Pilathara-Pappinisseri Road, 4.5-km Taliparamba-Iritty Road, 53.12-km Thalassery-Valavupacha Road, 132.2-km Punalur-Ponkunnam-Thodupuzha stretch, 87-km Chengannur-Ettumanoor-Muvattupuzha stretch and 41-km Perumpilavu- Pattambi-Perinthalmanna Road. The KSTP aims at major road construction, improvement and maintenance works as well as measures to enhance road safety, develop water transport and strengthen institutional capabilities.
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