World Bank Clears $680 Mn for Assam Road Projects Including EV Charging Hubs

The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has recently approved a series of projects to help Assam increase resilience to extreme weather events, improve governance and service delivery, and provide more than 4 million students with the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. 

Assam is uniquely positioned as the gateway to Southeast Asia, offering strategic connectivity for regional trade and integration. At the same time, Assam faces challenges such as climate vulnerability, inadequate infrastructure, and multidimensional poverty, which hinder inclusive growth.

To support delivery services in the state, Assam has secured funds through the Assam Disaster Resilient Hill Roads Development Project ($350 million) to help build climate-resilient roads, especially in hilly areas, and reduce travel time for approximately 190,000 people in tribal and rural communities. The project will enhance connectivity in the Northeastern region of the state by establishing improved transport and logistics hubs equipped with truck bays, container bays, taxi and bus bays, and electric vehicle charging points.

Currently, Assam falls under a handful of states that contribute 0.8 lakh electric vehicles, apart from West Bengal, which has 0.68 lakh EVs, and Delhi, 0.59 lakh, constituting around the 1 lakh mark. The funding comes as Assam seeks to strengthen climate resilience after repeated floods and landslides have exposed infrastructure gaps. While EV charging points form a small part of the logistics hubs, their inclusion reflects an effort to future-proof transport infrastructure.

Building Connectivity To Strengthen Public Finances

The Assam Governance and Service Delivery Program ($80 million) will help strengthen public financial management, including the allocation and spending of public resources, delivery of administrative services to both people and businesses, and the data ecosystem in Assam.

“Smart development builds communities’ resilience to extreme weather events. A well-constructed road and school keep learning uninterrupted, and helps people access markets and boost incomes,” said Paul Procee, Acting Country Director, World Bank India.  “By investing in Assam and improving logistics, climate-resilient infrastructure, and human capital, the projects can catalyze private sector development, enhance regional value chains, and foster long-term prosperity in a high-potential yet underserved region.”

“Building on previous World Bank-supported governance projects in Assam, this program will support improved service delivery through sustainable public finance, as well as strengthen information and data for policymakers to make swift and timely decisions,” said Tanya Gupta and Shreya Dutt Mishra, the task team leaders of the program.