Chapter 11.3.1   Roads and Bridges

Roads and Road Transport provide the basic infrastructure facilitating the process of economic development. Without an efficient network of roads, other planned development activities cannot produce the expected results.  Even Rail, Waterways and Airways need a good road network to feed them.  The State today has one of the best road networks in the country with 3850 km. of NH,  7,163 km.of SH,  7,362 km. of MDRs, 40,963 km. of ODRs and 1,563 of Sugarcane roads.   However, the service levels of roads need to be improved and standard maintenance ensured.   A comprehensive 'Road Policy' is being formulated by the Highways Department.   It is proposed to achieve good quality roads and service levels and connectivity to villages and habitations during the Tenth Plan period by completing all the on-going schemes along with a major shift in the traditional pattern of road planning.

Some of the new initiatives in Road Development sector are as follows:

1)           Providing ducting facilities along multi-laned roads for the sake of service providers like Electricity Board, Telephones, Water supply Departments etc. to use this facility on nominal lease rent to prevent frequent road cutting which causes inconvenience to road users, 

2)           New technology such as mechanised construction in investigation of Road works and use of Computer Aided Design (CAD) in designing bridges with suitable software.

3)           Formation of lay-byes to help/ establish integrated check posts at State Board Roads.

4)           In order to encourage Private Sector participation in road maintenance, all State Highway Roads falling within a district would be made into a package and entrusted to successful bidders for improvement-cum -maintenance for three years with funding assistance from HUDCO / LIC.

5)           Taking up formation of roads, by passes and connecting bridges on BOT basis by private sector.

6)           Road connectivity to Industrial Complexes / Industrial Townships etc.

7)           Institutional Development study to improve the Institutional and Financial capacity was conducted by the Booz Alean and Hamiltan, U.S.A., and the recommendations were made on managerial  aspects which were agreed  to in principle.

8)           Tamil Nadu Highways Bill, 2001 has received the assent of the President of India and has been notified as the Tamil Nadu Highways Act, 2001.  The Highways Act  provides adequate powers to the authorities to stop ribbon development, enter into agreement for development and maintenance of Highways, eviction of unauthorised encroachment in Highways and to ensure regulated growth of road side activities through zoning, building, lines etc.,

9)           A new Road policy is under formulation which includes engineering and  economic aspects in addition to environmental and social issues of Highway construction and management.  The objectives  of the Road Policy are:

i)                    To maximise socio-economic benefits

ii)                  To leverage market  resources through public-private participation .

iii)                To upgrade road construction and design, planning and execution of works through the State of Art-Technology.

iv)                To ensure professional management of Highways assests and resources.

Considering the importance of the road sector which is one of the backbones of economic development of State, the outlay for the Tenth Plan period was fixed at Rs.6000 crores.  The Government road network comprises of National Highways, State Highways, Major District Roads, Other District Roads and Sugarcane Roads.  The total length of roads in Tamilnadu is 60,901 km.  The  schemes undertaken in the first year of Tenth Plan and the outlay proposed for the Annual Plan 2003-04 are as follows:

I.  National Highways

At present, the total length of National Highways available in Tamilnadu is 3850 kms., of which a length of 342 kms. of National Highways under Golden Quadrilateral scheme and 851 kms. of National Highways under North-South Corridor programme (totally 1193 km) were taken up for four laning by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).   Under the above scheme, four laning of 62.6 kms of NH 7 was  taken up and  will be completed in the stretches of Athipalli-Hosur and Hosur-Krishnagiri section in 2002 and 2004 respectively.  57.21 kms. of NH 7 inclusive of widening of Thoppur Ghat section, Salem byepass, Karur byepass and construction of Karur ROB are nearing completion.   Four laning of 92.6 kms of NH 4 will be completed in Poonamallee- Kanchipuram section and Kanchipuram-Wallajabad section in 2003 - 2004. Four laning of 143 kms of  NH 46 in Krishnagiri – Pallikonda   section  has been  taken up during  2002-03. Four laning and strengthening of 93 kms of NH 45 in Tambaram-Tindivanam section has been approved by Government of India and it is to be awarded under BOT annuity scheme.  Proposals  for Rs.196.60 crores have been approved by Government of India against which estimates for 44 works costing Rs.82.91 crores have been sent to Government of India for according technical approval and financial sanction.  In addition, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has proposed to upgrade the following NHs to four-lane / six-lane under the Golden Quadrilateral and North-South Corridor projects in Tamil Nadu.

The stretches of National Highways lying within the Municipal Limit with a population of 20,000 and above are classified as "NATIONAL HIGHWAYS URBAN LINKS".  The total length of the National Highways Urban Links is 125.86 Kms.  Out of these, urban links of 29.55 Kms. length lie within Chennai city  which are vested with the Chief Engineer (Highways) Department, Chennai.  However, the Government of India have declared that the National Highways situated in the Municipal Areas shall also form part of the "National Highways Network".

II.  State Highways

In Tamilnadu, the length of State Highways roads is 7163 kms. after upgrading 6437 kms. of important Major District Roads and Other District Roads and bringing them into State Highways Grid.  It is assessed that 1500 kms. of single lane, 378 kms. of Intermediate lane, 3946 kms. of double lane and 134 kms. of Multi-lane of State Highways are having a traffic intensity of more than 10,000 PCU/ per day.   As against a provision of Rs.46.73 crores for 2002-03, the expenditure anticipated is Rs.43.70 crores.  The proposed outlay for the year 2003-04 is Rs.41.16 crores.

III.  Major District Roads

Out of 7362 Kms of MDR, a recent assessment indicates that 1000 kms. of single lane roads have a traffic intensity of 5000-10000 PCUs/per day and 1500 kms. of  double lane have a traffic intensity of 10000 PCUs/per day.  The provision for 2002-03 was Rs.1.23 crores and the expenditure anticipated during 2002-03 is  Rs.3.32 crores.   The proposed outlay for the year 2003-04 is Rs.5.58 crores.

IV.  Other District Roads

Out of 40963 kms. of Other District Roads, 39,348  kms are Single lane, 898  kms are Intermediate lane and 680 kms are double lane and 37 Km,are multi lanes.  Surface wise, 40,922  km are cement concreted and black topped and 41 kms. are metalled. The existing 41 kms. of metalled roads are to be improved as black  topped roads.  As against the provision of Rs.2.77 crores for 2002-03  Rs.4.49  crores is expected to be spent. The outlay proposed for 2003-04 is Rs.1.20 crores.

V.  Railway Over / Under Bridges

During the Ninth Plan period, out of eight works, two works have been completed and the balance six ROBs (two at Chennai and four at Trichy) are in various stages of progress.

In addition, the Railways have identified 89 Nos. of level crossings with more than one lakh train vehicle units warranting Road Over/ Under Bridges.   These works are recommended for inclusion in the Railway Works pogrammeon priority basis, depending upon the fund availability.  The State Government and the Railways share the cost of construction of ROB / RUB  including approaches on 50:50 basis.  26 works are now recommended by the Government to Railways for inclusion in Railway Works Programe,2002-2003.

For these works, as against provision for 2002-03 of Rs.33.27 crores, the  expenditure anticipated is Rs.15.51 crores.  The proposed outlay for the year 2003-04 is Rs.13.11 crores.

VI.  Rehabilitation of Distressed Bridges

In Tamilnadu, there are totally 93,208 culverts, 7,226 minor bridges and 1,149  major bridges, of which, 2,300 culverts, 800 minor bridges and 103 major bridges are in distressed condition.  Out of 60 Bridges, 19 works were put into execution, one work completed and  18 works are programmed to be completed before 31.08.2003.  Out of 41 works, 14 works are proposed for deletion due to Land Acquisition problems.  16 new works have been proposed for inclusion in the place of works proposed for deletion.   The outlay for 2002-03 was Rs.0.53 lakh against which the expenditure is anticipated to be    Rs.89.93 lakhs.  An outlay of Rs.2.70 crores is proposed for the year 2003-04.

VII.     Rural Roads Scheme with loan assistance from NABARD

         The Roads are improved up to B.T.Level under the following schemes enabling the villagers to transport their agriculture products to the nearby town quickly for marketing:

i)         Rural Roads scheme

ii)            Special Component Plan and

iii)          Bus Route improvement Scheme.

i)  Rural Roads Scheme

The road connectivity to villages having population between 500-1000 has been taken up since 01.04.1999.    It has been assessed that there are 4986 villages with population between 500-1000 without having all weather roads connectivity.  So far, 764 villages have been covered upto 2002-2003.  During 2003-2004, 120 villages covering a length of 500 Km. of roads and 10 bridges are programmed to be taken up.

  As against the provision of 2002-03 of Rs.66 crores, the expenditure is anticipated to be Rs.65.20 crores.  The outlay proposed for the year 2003-04 is Rs.80 crores.

ii) Providing connectivity to Adi-Dravidar Habitations under Special Component Plan.

This scheme envisages road connectivity to villages having more than 50% of Adi-Dravidar population.  Till the end of 2002-03, connectivity to 238 villages having population less than thousand was provided.  During 2002-03 one more project under RIDF VII for improving 9.6 kms. of roads to give connectivity to 10 villages was also proposed. During 2003-04, 50 villages were programmed to be covered.

The provision for 2002-03 was Rs.23 crores and the expenditure anticipated is Rs.19.55 crores. The outlay proposed for the year 2003-04 is Rs.25 crores.

iii) Bus route improvement scheme

Under this scheme, the Panchayat Union roads on which buses are plying for more than three years are taken up for improvement as B.T. roads to Other District Roads standards.

During 2003-04,  improvement works for 150  km of roads and 5 bridges are programmed to be taken up. 

The provision for 2002-03 was Rs.34.50 crores and the expenditure anticipated is Rs.35.25 crores.  An outlay of Rs.20 crores is proposed for the year 2003-04.

VIII.  NABARD Schemes

 The spill over road projects on Major District Roads and Other District Roads taken up during Ninth Plan period are to the tune of Rs.56 crores.  Improvements to Major District Roads and Other District Roads, construction / reconstruction of bridges on Major District roads and Other District Roads have been taken up with loan assistance from NABARD under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).  Under RIDF II to VII 4346.53 kms of Roads and 384 bridges were taken up for improvements and construction / reconstruction at a cost of Rs.555.15 crores.   Of the above, 4190.96  kms of road works and 275  bridges were completed.  The  balance road and bridge works are in various stages of implementation.   During 2002-03, a new project  for improvement of 945.22 kms. of roads was sanctioned under RIDF VIII at a cost of Rs.101.17 crores has been sanctioned  of which, 28 works covering 201.10 Km. have been completed and the remaining works are in various stages of implementation.   A new proposal for construction of 111 bridges and improvements to 31 roads at a cost of Rs. 50 crores has been posed to NABARD and is in advance stage of processing in addition to a proposal of 243 roads and construction of 7 bridges at a cost of Rs.64.96 crores to NABARD for sanction.

In addition to the above, a separate proposal for the construction of a High Level Bridgeat 0/10-1/2  of Vaigai Causeway road  (bridge at Nathipalam) in  Ramanathapuram  district at a cost of Rs. 4 crores has also been forwarded to NABARD for sanction and is now under the consideration of NABARD.

As against the provision  of Rs.101.17 crores for the year  2002-2003, the expenditure anticipated will be of  the order of Rs.120.17 crores.   For 2003-04, an outlay of Rs.120 crores is  proposed.

IX. Delta District Bridges

Many bridges built during pre-Independence period on Government roads in the Delta Districts are not suitable to cope up with the prevailing intensity of traffic and  most of the bridges have completed their design life.   Under RIDF VII  reconstructing these bridges were proposed in a phased manner.  During 2001-2002 construction / reconstruction of 94 bridges in Cauvery Delta Districts of Cuddalore, Trichy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam and 28 bridges in 3 Districts of Theni, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari and 40 road works falling in these districts covering 196.60 kms were taken up.  Out of 122 bridge works, 3 works have been completed, 86 are in progress, 20 in tender stage, 9 work orders issued, and 4 are in design and estimate stage.  Out of 40 roads, 26 are in progress, 7 are in tender stage, and work order issued for 7 Nos.  The phasing period of this project extends upto 31.3.2004.  An outlay of Rs.107.10 crores was provided for 2002-03 and the expenditure is likely to be Rs.120.17 crores.

 The outlay proposed for the year 2003-04 is Rs.120 crores.

X.  Special Roads Projects

i) Radial Road to Madurai

Government have sanctioned Madurai Radial Roads Scheme comprising of 12 Road Works and 1 Road Over Bridge in Ellis Nagar and a High Level Bridge across Vaigai River near Sakkudi Village at a total cost of Rs.112 crores.   This project will be carried out by availing loan assistance from HUDCO.  Rs.50 crores was provided for 2002-03 and the expenditure anticipated is Rs.10 crores.  The proposed outlay for the year 2003-04 is  Rs.10 crores.

ii)   Inner Ring Road  - Chennai

All the works except Northern Sector and Southern Sector of Inner Ring Road  along with the RUB at Thillai Ganga Nagar have been completed in all respects.  The works in Northern Sector and RUB at Thillai Ganga Nagar in Southern Sector is in advanced stage of completion.  These works originally taken up under World Bank loan assistance and subsequently carried out with State funds are now being carried out with loan assistance from HUDCO.   HUDCO has sanctioned a loan of Rs.65 crores for carrying out the balance works and a sum of Rs.27.88 crores has been drawn as on 31.03.2003 from HUDCO.  

The provision for 2002-03 is Rs.38.28 crores  and the expenditure is anticipated to be Rs.7.24 crores.  An outlay of Rs.22.73 crores is proposed for 2003-04.

iii) Infrastructure Road Development for Tiruppur Town under Economic and Interstate Importance Scheme.

A project to improve Radial Roads to Tiruppur at a cost of Rs.50 crores has been forwarded to Government of India.  The approval of Government of India is awaited under E & I scheme.

XI.  Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project

Project preparation in respect of Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project involves the detailed engineering design for 732 km of roads including 12 bypasses, which has been completed.  The programmes for the year 2002-2003 and for the subsequent years  of the plan period  are as follows:

Up-gradation of Roads: The indicated project cost is Rs.1125 crores, of which 80% will be funded by the World Bank.  This has four packages for construction. The contract period is 36 months to 42 months.  Rs.90 crores is available for Supervision, Consultancy services, etc., Another Rs.90 crores is meant for Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation / Resettlement, etc.

Maintenance of Roads:  It is proposed to take up maintenance of 2600 kms. of roads in various districts in four year cycle, with an indicated project cost of Rs.450 crores. The preparation of Detailed Engineering Design and Bid document will be completed through a Consultant. For the first year, the Consultants for maintenance of roads in packages M1 and M2 for 730 kms are about to be fixed. The estimated cost of maintenance of 2600 km is Rs.518 crores, which will be absorbed during the Tenth plan period.

Institutional Strengthening: Following the acceptance of Institutional Development Study Report prepared by a USA based consultant, the World Bank has allotted Rs.20.25 crores  for reform measures. It is proposed to implement the Institutional measures through a suitable consultant during the Tenth Five Year Plan period.

Road Safety: Against the provision of   Rs.12.50 crores indicated by the World Bank, Consultancy Services will be availed to finance the road safety measures for implementation at a cost of Rs.37.50 crores. So far, 60 accident prone spots have been identified for improvement measures utilising this provision.

Against an outlay of Rs.115 crores the expenditure is likely to be Rs.20 crores and Rs.271.72 crores  is proposed for 2003-04.

XII.  Research, Training and Road Safety

Research is a fundamental requisite for any development process.  The Highways Research Station established at Chennai in 1957 is contributing all activities in the field of Research, Investigation, Testing and Analysis.  The challenge posed by the continued growth of road transport over the years will have to be met by upgrading the technology and bringing about a series of innovations.   In addition to the ongoing research programmes in  the Highways Research Station, two important  studies which are currently considered as relevant topics and are proposed to be taken up during 2003-2004.   Based  on the publication of IRC.SP 53, Govt. of India have introduced the use of rubber modified bitumen on National Highway Projects.   Similarly, the GOTN have also extended the use of the technology in State Highways with heavy traffic.  This will be taken up as a research scheme in Highways Research Station during 2003-2004  as an intensive study both in laboratory and in the field.

As against a budget provision of  Rs.0.10 crore for the year  2002-03, the expenditure anticipated will be of the order of Rs 0.03 crore.  The proposed outlay for the year  2003-04  is  Rs.0.02 crore.

XIII.Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Ltd.:  The road sector has been progressively under funded in successive Five Year Plans.  Construction of new bye-passes, bridges, high quality road, maintenance of existing assests, upgradatiion,  periodical maintenance and strengthening etc., must be  simultaneously developed in order to see development in this sector.  In the present condition, it is possible only with private sector participation for development of certain important roads.  Hence, in order to give fillip to private sector participation, Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Ltd., (TNRDC), a joint venture company with equal participation of TIDCO and IL&FS have been formed to identify the road projects on commercial format, plan, design and  implement it as managers of the projects.   The improvement and maintenance of East Coast Road from 22/3 -135/5 on concessional basis has been entrusted to TNRDC. The project for improvements, maintenance and operation of Salem-Ulundurpet road (NH68) and Dindigul-Coimbatore (NH209) have been entrusted to the TNRDC.  The MoU has been signed for the above projects on 10.4.2002.  The TNRDC has proposed to take up the above projects in two phases.  The concession agreement in respect of the above works are to be signed by the firm with Ministry, after signing the State support agreement.

A sum of Rs.10 crores is  proposed for the  maintenance of ECR works for 2003-04.         

Other Programmes

XIV.  Centrally Sponsored /Assisted Schemes

i)  Central Road Fund Scheme

Government of India has set up a Central Road Fund with Special Cess levied on Petrol and the Diesel, of which 15% is distributed to States for Road Development.  

ii)  Western Ghats Development Programme

This scheme is being implemented in 8 districts, viz. Erode, Coimbatore, Dindigul, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari.   Rs.0.62 crore was provided for 2002-03 and Rs. 0.53 crore is expected to be spent.  The proposed outlay for the year 2003-04 will be Rs.0.64 crore.

iii)  Hill Area Development Programme

The Government of India provides expenditure for road components in Nilgiris District under the Hill Area Development Programme.  Rs.1.53 crores was provided for 2002-03 and the expenditure is likely to be in the order of Rs.3.13 crores, and Rs.1.83 crores is proposed for 2003-04

iv)  Tribal Sub Plan

Tribal areas are identified under Tribal Areas Sub Plan to provide connectivity to Tribal habitations in totally inaccessible areas.  The scheme for construction of roads is in operation for 1976-77 onwards.  The tribal pockets were identified in the following Districts, namely Salem (Kolli Hills, Yercaud Hill, Arumuthumalai) Namakkal (Kolli Hills) Trichy (Pachamalai, Kalrayan,  Arumuthumalai and Yercaud Hills), Dharmapuri (Sitheri Hills) Tiruvannamalai (Part of Jawadhu Hills) and Villupuram (part of Kalrayan Hills). The provision for 2002-03 was Rs.0.31 lakh and the expenditure anticipated is Rs.3.46 lakhs.  The outlay proposed for the year 2003-04 is Rs.0.25 lakh.

New Schemes

1  Formation of Roads and Bridges

It is proposed to reconstruct 14 nos. of bridges / culverts on State Highways roads at an ultimate cost of Rs.503 lakhs in the districts of Villupuram, Ariyalur, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore,  Erode, Udhagai, Theni, Dingigul, Sivaganga, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar and Kanyakumari.  The selection of works is based on public representation and having regard to the long felt need of the public. The details of works are as follows:

It is proposed to take up the above works at a cost of Rs.2.01 crores in 2003-04  with an ultimate cost of Rs.5.03 crores.

2)   Rehabilitation of Distressed Bridges - Major District Roads

It is proposed to take up rehabilitation of 12 nos. of bridges / culverts on Major District Roads at an ultimate cost of Rs.397 lakhs in the districts of Ariyalur, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Erode, Madurai, Sivaganga, Tuticorin and Virudhunagar.  The details of works are as follows:

An outlay of Rs.1.59 crores is proposed for the above works for the year 2003-2004  with an ultimate cost of Rs.3.97 crores.

3)  Tools and Plants

 It is proposed to purchase Fax Machines for the Office of the Chief Engineers, General, NABARD and Project II.  Provision for purchase of UPS to Computers for  the Office of the Chief Engineer, General, Computers with Printers for the Office of the Accounts Officers, Highways, National Highways and Project-II and for purchase of Intercom Facilities for the office of the Chief Engineer, NABARD, Accounts Officer, Highways and National Highways.  The proposals are recommended under State Plan schemes in the X Five Year Plan.  A sum of Rs.4.80 lakhs  is provided for the year 2003-04 for providing the following amenities to offices of Highways Department.

a)  Purchase of Fax Machine (3 numbers) to the offices of C.E.(H).) General, C.E. (H), NABARD, C.E. (H), Project-II. 

It is proposed to provide during 2003-04 Fax Machine to the office of the C.E. (General), C.E. (Highways) NABARD and C.E. (Highways) Project-I at a cost of Rs.1.50 lakhs.

b) Purchase of 2 U.P.S. for Computers in the Office of the Chief Engineer (H), General.

For the provision of 2 nos. U.P.S. for the office of the Chief Engineer (H), General, a sum of Rs.0.30 lakh is proposed for 2003-04.

c) Purchase of Computer with Printer for the offices of Accounts Officer, Highways, Chennai Accounts Officer, NH, Chennai and Accounts Officer, NH 45, Chennai.

It is proposed to purchase 3 nos. of computer with printer for the offices of Accounts Officer, Highways, Chennai Accounts Officer, NH, Chennai and Accounts Officer, NH 45, Chennai at a cost of Rs.1.80 lakhs for 2003-04.

d) Providing intercom facilities to the offices of Chief Engineer, NABARD, Highways, Chennai, Accounts Officer, Highways, Chennai and Accounts Officer, NH, Chennai

  It is proposed to provide intercom facilities for the offices of Chief Engineer, NABARD, Highways, Chennai, Accounts Officer, Highways, Chennai and Accounts Officer, NH, Chennai at a cost of Rs.1.20 lakhs for 2003-04.

In all, the cost of new schemes for the Highways Department works out to Rs.364.80 lakhs  for 2003-04 with an ultimate cost of Rs.904.80 lakhs.

Annual Plan Outlay 2003-04

The details of outlay proposed for the Annual Plan 2003-04 are shown below:

Roads and Bridges