Shimla, Dec 3 (IANS) The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has sought the World Bank financial assistance for upgrading two national highways in Himachal Pradesh, an official said on Monday.

State Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda said the national highways are 124-km long Hamirpur-Mandi section and 97-km long Paonta Sahib-Gumma section with an estimated cost of Rs 909.81 crore and Rs 779.10 crore respectively.

The Hamirpur-Mandi national highway will be developed as a green highway for sustainable environment and inclusive growth.

The official said a team of the World Bank is currently inspecting the roads and will meet state functionaries.

Nanda said the World Bank has also approved the second phase of the State Road Transformation Programme to be executed by the Himachal Pradesh Road and other Infrastructure Development Corp. The total project cost is Rs 770 crore.

--IANS vg/prs