The World Bank has agreed in principle to finance a road development project to enable the state to advance the implementation of major roads. The project is to be implemented from 2007. The Himachal Pradesh government took up the matter with the bank, which agreed to finance the project. It will be able to start work on double-laning of some important roads within the current financial year. Funds will be placed at the disposal of the Public Works Department (PWD) by the government and the bank will reimburse the amount in 2007. The bank has committed over Rs 1,000 crore.