Thank you for sharing the BHRRC media monitoring result with ADB on 22 July 2024. We have carefully reviewed the details provided in the article written by Green Alternative. I would like share that the E-60 road comprises of four sections F1 to F4 listed below, of which sections F2 and F4 are financed by ADB. The sections, and progress on these is briefly explained here:

• Section F1-Chumateleti–Khevi (11.7 km)
• Section F2- Khevi–Ubisa (12.2 km). Status: completed; no civil works ongoing; permits on rehabilitation and restoration obtained; on-going restoration of disturbed areas including rehabilitation of spoil disposal areas; riverbank restorations completed.
• Section F3- Ubisa–Shorapani (13 km)
• Section F4- Shorapani–Argveta (14.7km). Status: - on-going construction; permits and design approvals from regulatory agencies for rehabilitation of spoil disposal areas have been granted/obtained; inactive areas that can be rehabilitated will be prioritized; spoil disposal areas near waterbodies are verified as stable and safe by regulatory agency and regularly monitored.

Based on field investigation and upon careful review of the information shared in the article, we would like to clarify that the areas identified in referred article are not part of the ADB financed sections of the E-60.

We would like to share that ADB undertakes regular monitoring of project implementation to ensure compliance with project loan agreements and with ADB safeguards policy statement (2009), implementation of environmental management plans and the effectiveness of mitigation measures are reported by the implementing agency to ADB twice a year through safeguards monitoring reports.

ADB shares your commitment to sustainable development and remains committed to upholding the objectives and requirements of its Safeguard Policy Statement (2009) in all projects that it finances. We remain open to further dialogue and collaboration to address any future concerns. Furthermore, you may also monitor the status of works through the safeguards monitoring reports, which are disclosed on the ADB webpage twice a year.

Let me once again thank you for writing to ADB and bringing this to our attention.