For raising and strengthening rural roads in Punjab, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) loan of Rs 286 crore. Under the project, rural infrastructure will be improved through provision of better roads and bridges. A total length of 1,567.18 km of roads will be strengthened by increasing crust thickness and enhancing the capacity of the roads for carrying on increased traffic intensity smoothly. The rural road project, when completed, is expected to benefit 29 lakh people residing in 1,259 villages spread across 20 districts of the Punjab State. It would provide connectivity to 148 urban and 498 rural marketing centres. This was stated by NABARD, Punjab, Chief General Manager Naresh Gupta.