The World Bank has agreed to provide a USD 3 billion loan for developing

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India's national highways.

The World Bank assistance will be utilised for converting 6,372km of one-lane highways to two-lane, out of the total of 19,702 kmof single lane highways in the country.

"They have (World Bank) for the first time informed me that they will be willing to fund the viability gap funding and also fund 50 per cent of our annuity projects," Transport Minister Kamal Nath told the Indian media here after concluding his week-long tour to the United States yesterday.

Nath also announced the construction of 18,000 kms of expressways in the country.

"We are going to set up an expressway division in the next fortnight and I propose bringing in legislation for Expressway Authority of India," he said.

"Roads in India are not merely a matter of connectivity but is an important component of inclusive growth," he said, adding the total project costs for 2009-2010 is estimated at USD 20 billion.

Both debt equity and pension funds are being invited to participate in this programme, he said. The share of private sector investment in this will be about USD 12 billion