Afghanistan : Road Network Development Investment Program - Tranche 2

Sovereign Project | 42095-032

The primary objective of the Project is to improve the road network which is the primary medium of transport.

The Project comprises the following:

1. Rehabilitation of the Qaisar-Bala Murghab section (90 km) of the Herat-Andkhoy road, including the related civil works, overall project and contract management, construction supervision and monitoring, security arrangements and related community development works.

2. Construction of the Bala Murghab-Laman section (approximately 143 km), including the related civil works, overall project and contract management, construction supervision and monitoring, security arrangements and related community development works.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    ADB Disclosure
    Central and West Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Afghanistan
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Transport
Project Name Road Network Development Investment Program - Tranche 2
Project Number 42095-032
Country / Economy Afghanistan
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Grant
Source of Funding / Amount
Grant 0244-AFG: MFF - Road Network Development Investment Program, Tranche 2
Asian Development Fund US$ 310.00 million
Grant 0291-AFG: Road Network Development Investment Program - Tranche 2
Afghanistan Infrastructure Trust Fund US$ 30.00 million
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Transport / Road transport (non-urban)

Gender No gender elements
Description

The primary objective of the Project is to improve the road network which is the primary medium of transport.

The Project comprises the following:

1. Rehabilitation of the Qaisar-Bala Murghab section (90 km) of the Herat-Andkhoy road, including the related civil works, overall project and contract management, construction supervision and monitoring, security arrangements and related community development works.

2. Construction of the Bala Murghab-Laman section (approximately 143 km), including the related civil works, overall project and contract management, construction supervision and monitoring, security arrangements and related community development works.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

Being the only missing link in the ring road, Qaisar-Bala Murghab-Laman section is the government's top priority and is ranked first among the investment priorities of the road improvement master plan. The section forms part of the key corridors under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. Without completion of this missing link, the ring road is unable to fully perform its intended role as the backbone of the national transport system and principal conduit for national and international passenger and freight traffic.

The physical investments under this Project have been appraised and found to be complying with the MFF eligibility criteria, as it is (i) programmed under the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) and part of a strategic international and regional corridor; (ii) in line with ADB's country partnership strategy; (iii) the goverment's priority; and (iv) socially, environmentally, and economically viable. The improved and expanded road network will increase connectivity, raise intercity travel speeds, create conditions for more regional freight and passengers transport services, cut operating costs, develop safer roads, thereby allowing people and goods to move efficiently from one part of the country to another, and to neighboring countries. The Project will benefit the country as a whole, including investment and job creation conditions in the regions and rural areas. Roads will contribute indirectly to stability and security in the remote parts of the country and will improve communities' access to social services and infrastructure.

Impact

Increased national trade in, and transit trade through, Afghanistan.

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

An efficient, safe, reliable, road network developed in western Afghanistan.

Progress Toward Outcome The works have resumed. Civil work contracts for section 1 and 2 were signed on 16 September 2017 and contractors were mobilized in 1st week of December 2017. Physical progress on sections 1 and 2 are at 16% and 11.5% respectively.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

1. The Qaisar-Bala Murghab-Laman section of the ring road constructed and reconstructed with quality and within budget.

2. Provision of basic infrastructure needs for about 100 local communities.

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Road project experienced delays. The implementation delayed due to security problem which eventually led to the stoppage of civil works and contract termination by the Contractor. The new contract for sections 1 and 2 signed on 16 September 2017. The grant agreement closing date extended from December 2016 to 28 November 2018 is approved.

Women's infrastrtucture needs are included among the 72 Community outreach and development projects in Sec-1 and 2 to be implemented by NGO 'Afghan Social Development & Training Organization (ASDTO) but were also affected by work stoppage. The implementation of community development projects will be resumed also when the project is back on track.

Previously, 72 community development subprojects that will benefit 80 communities were approved but were also affected by work stoppage. The EA has to ensure that community development projects will also resume later when the project is back on track.

Geographical Location Bagrami, Bagrami, Baharak, Bala Murghab, Faizabad, Fayzabad, Jabal Saraj, Jabal Saraj, Laman, Murghab, Nijrab, Nijrab, Qaisar, Qala-i-Naw, Rodat, Sabari, Sabari, Sangalak-i-Kaisar, Surubi, Taluqan
Safeguard Categories
Environment B
Involuntary Resettlement B
Indigenous Peoples C
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects The Project is classified category B. The initial environmental examination (IEE) prepared according to ADB's Environment Policy (2002) and Environmental Assessment Guidelines (2003) found that there will be no major long-term adverse impact on the environment. Short-term impacts are considered insignificant and temporary and will be mitigated through the implementation of an environmental management plan (EMP).
Involuntary Resettlement The Project is being implemented under a design-build contract as envisgaed. The detailed engineering design will be prepared by the civil works contractor. The land acquisition and resettlement plan (LARP) will be updated based on the detailed engineering design. Civil works in the affected areas will commence only after the Land Acquisition and Resettlement Plan (LARP) approved by ADB has been implemented.
Indigenous Peoples Given the multiethnic or multitribal nature of the state in Afghanistan, the project does not affect indigenous peoples and is classified as category C for indigenous peoples.
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Consultation sessions were conducted with local stakeholders and likely project affects persons through the assistance of provincial governors. The benefits from construction of the road sections to be funded under the project was explained. The consultation sessions were open for all to share and exchange views, ideas and experiences. The main issues discussed were with respect to affected land, prices of land, the process for compensation, and potential employment opportunities for the local people (both skilled and unskilled) resultant of the forthcoming project implementation.
During Project Implementation Consultation will continue throughout implementation of the Project. The EA, through regular field visits and the use of specialists, will implement the Project. Disclosure or relevant information will continue throughout implementation of the Project.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The Project will require a total of 1,755 person-months (606 person-months international and 1,149 person-months national) of consulting services. Consultants will be recruited and engaged in accordance with ADB's Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2010, as amended from time to time). A consulting firm will be selected as PMSC to oversee project implementation, using the quality- and cost-based (90:10 ratios) selection method and full technical proposals. PMSC will carry out the tasks of design review and construction supervision.
Procurement The Project will procure one combined civil works contract for the entire Qaisar-Laman section by selecting a competent contractor with the required resources. The civil works contract will follow international competitive bidding procedures.
Responsible ADB Officer ADB Disclosure
Responsible ADB Department Central and West Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Transport and Communications Division, CWRD
Timetable
Concept Clearance 09 Jun 2008
Fact Finding -
MRM 24 Aug 2010
Approval 21 Dec 2010
Last Review Mission -
PDS Creation Date 03 Sep 2009
Last PDS Update 27 Sep 2018

Grant 0244-AFG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
21 Dec 2010 18 Jan 2011 12 Sep 2011 31 Dec 2016 27 Nov 2018 05 Jul 2019
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 316.64 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 310.00 17 Jun 2022 114.82 0.00 88%
Counterpart 6.64 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 0.00 17 Jun 2022 114.82 0.00 88%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - Satisfactory

Grant 0291-AFG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
29 May 2012 30 May 2012 31 May 2012 31 Dec 2016 - 25 Sep 2013
Financing Plan Grant Utilization
Total (Amount in US$ million) Date ADB Others Net Percentage
Project Cost 30.00 Cumulative Contract Awards
ADB 0.00 17 Jun 2022 0.00 30.00 100%
Counterpart 0.00 Cumulative Disbursements
Cofinancing 30.00 17 Jun 2022 0.00 30.00 100%
Status of Covenants
Category Sector Safeguards Social Financial Economic Others
Rating - Satisfactory Satisfactory - - Satisfactory

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