SIPCOT

Highways Department 2000-2001

I. Introduction

The State of Tamil Nadu under the stewardship of our beloved Chief Minister, Dr. Kalaignar, has accorded due priority to infrastructure development for achieving economic and Social Development in the State. Over the years, telecommunication, Power, Urban Infrastructure including water supply and sanitation, Ports, and road network have all been provided significant outlays with proposed investments of almost Rs.8000 Crores in the current year. More specifically, in the road Infrastructure, the total investment is about Rs.1685 Crores of which the plan outlay for Highways is Rs.809.19 Crores. Other Key sectors of economy like Agriculture, Industry, Mining, Energy, Forestry, and Dairy Development are critically dependent on development and maintenance of road network and efficient Transportation system. In these overall scenarios, the State of Tamil Nadu has made appreciable investment in the development of a wide road network in the State and achieved so far to its credit a road length of 60212 Km in various categories such as National Highways, State Highways, Major District Roads, and Other District Roads.

The Highways Department specially and specifically created for this objective is in the incessant move on these highways for over a period of 54 years and has accumulated a record of rich experience to its functional system, which in turn has surfaced as qualitative work on its quantified net work of roads and bridges. This network plays a key role in activating economic growth, generating social harmony and preserving National Integrity. Besides improving, maintaining, and preserving the existing road assets, Highways Department is also in pursuit of providing accessibility to interior villages. This department has already achieved the National objective of providing connectivity to every village with population of more than 1000 by 31-03-1999 and is now working tirelessly to provide such road connectivity to villages with population below 1000 also.

The expanding road network to match the growing traffic intensity requires strengthening and widening and also periodical maintenance for their upkeep. Funding from the budget has become inadequate to meet the demand of road users. Hence to overcome this situation, fresh initiatives to mobilise resources from external agencies like World Bank, Asian Development Bank, NABARD, HUDCO and Public borrowings through Bonds involving TIDCO have been taken to provide good riding surface on these roads.

II. Roads & Bridges— Policy - Outline

Highways Department undertakes construction/ improvements / renewal / Maintenance of Road network under its control. This road network includes bridges, causeways, culverts, Road over bridges and Road under bridges also. Following are the classification of Road network:-

National Highways
State Highways
Major District Roads
Other District Roads
Bridges, Causeways, Culverts, Road Over Bridges, and Road-Under Bridges.

The criteria followed for each classification is detailed hereunder:

(i). NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

These are main highways running through the length and breadth of the country connecting major ports, state capitals, large industrial and tourist Centres, etc.

While the traffic on National Highways has been growing due to acceleration of industrialisation in the Country, the Government of India are taking matching action utilising latest technologies and improved management techniques to provide hindrance-free traffic movement by way of widening, grade separation, construction of bypasses, bridges, Rail-Road Crossings etc. The Government of Tamil Nadu is providing all basic data to Government of India towards this objective and even suggestions for four laning or six laning or cement concreting of National Highways whereever possible depending upon the site conditions. The endeavor of Government of Tamil Nadu is to motivate the growth trend of the National Highways network in Tamil Nadu. The length of the National Highways in Tamil Nadu has remained constant at 2002 Km until 1996. Due to the concerted efforts of the State Government, during the past three years, the Government of India has declared some of the State Highways and Major District Roads in the State to the National Highways network. The length of the National Highways in Tamil Nadu as on date is 3789 Km, an impressive addition of 1787 Km working out to 89%.

(ii) STATE HIGHWAYS

These are arterial routes of a state linking district headquarters and important cities within the state and connecting them with National Highways or Highways of the neighboring states. Of the total length of 4192 Km lengths of State Highways, 2820 Km Length is double lane and 90 Km lengths are multilane. The Government of Tamil Nadu have therefore decided to widen the balance 1282 Km length of the single lane to double lane or multilane. Since 1787 Kms of State Roads have been declared as National Highways about 3500 kms of Major District Roads have been upgraded as State Highways during the year 1998-99.

(iii) MAJOR DISTRICT ROADS

These are important roads within a district serving areas of production and markets, and connecting these with each other or with the Main Highways. It also connects Taluk Head Quarters and District Head Quarters. Of the total length of 10051 Km of Major District Roads, 5672 Km length is single lane and 4332 Km length is double lane and 47 Km is multilane. As Major District Roads motivate the inflow of resources development within districts, the Government of Tamil Nadu have shown keen interest to widen single lane Major District Roads to double lane in different stages depending upon the site conditions and financial resources available.

(iv) OTHER DISTRICT ROADS

These are roads serving rural areas of production and providing them with outlet to market centres, Taluk headquarters, Block Development headquarters or other main roads. Of the total length of 40814 Km of Other District Roads as on date, a meager portion of about 753 Km is double lane and 31 Km is multilane. As these roads are intended to generate sound economy in rural areas, the Government of Tamil Nadu have immense interest to upgrade and strengthen the Other District Roads utilising loan assistance from Financial Institutions and providing State share to the extent required.

(v) BRIDGES, CAUSEWAYS, CULVERTS, ROAD OVER BRIDGES & ROAD UNDER BRIDGES:

To cross water-bodies and Railway Level Crossings across the road alignments, Highways Department undertakes construction of Major Bridges, Minor Bridges, Causeways, Culverts, Road Over Bridges, and Road Under Bridges along these alignments depending upon the site conditions.

An assessment made indicates that there are 3458 numbers of bridges on Government Roads, which were constructed decades, back, in a distressed condition and require to be constructed. The Government is therefore taking action to construct these bridges in phased manner. In addition, a need has arisen to construct quite a large number of bridges based on the request of Public representatives.

Construction of Over/Under Bridges in lieu of the existing level crossings on Government roads is undertaken where train vehicle units exceed one Lakhs. These works are recommended for inclusion in the Railway Works Programme on priority basis, depending upon the availability of funds and importance of these works. The State Government and the Railways share the cost of construction of Railway Over/Under Bridges including approaches on a 50:50 basis. The Government of India, Ministry of Railways, have constituted a fund known as "The Railway Safety Works Fund" to reimburse the expenditure incurred in advance by the State Government towards maintenance of unmanned level crossings, upgrading existing level crossings, and providing over/under bridges in lieu of the existing level crossings. 8% of the above fund is earmarked to be given to the State Government for replacing the level crossings with Over/Under Bridges and manning of unmanned level crossings

III. Roads & Bridges — On going schemes

In order to achieve the objectives outlined under "POLICY OUTLINE", following are the schemes undertaken during 2000 – 2001.

1. NATIONAL HIGHWAYS – ORIGINAL WORKS AND

MAINTENANCE

The length of National Highways in Tamil Nadu is 3789 Km. With the funds allocated by Government of India, the National Highways roads are maintained and renewed. This year 800 Km lengths of roads have been taken up by National Highways authority of India (NHAI) to carry out certain developmental works. The work details are furnished below:

Forming Chennai bye pass {19 Km} connecting NH 45 and NH 4 – Work is in progress
Four laning of Hosur– Krishnagiri road (NH 7) Km 33/015 – 94/0 — work commenced in Km 33/015 – 48/6.
Four laning of NH 45 from Chengalpattu to Tindivanam in Km 67/0 – 122/0 — feasibility study and preparation of detailed project report have been completed and the work is to be commenced
Namakkal byepass (8.6 Km) four laning - feasibility study and preparation of detailed project report is in progress
Karur Byepass (6 Km) — feasibility study and preparation of detailed project report completed and the work commenced
Salem Byepass (7 Km) four laning - Work to be commenced
Salem – Thoppur road Four laning - Feasibility study and preparation of detailed project Report is in progress.
Thoppur Ghat road — Work is in progress.
Four laning of Krishnagiri Ranipet road (NH 46) - Preparation of feasibility study and detailed project report is in progress.
Four laning of National Highways connecting Tindivanam to Trichy (NH 45) and Trichy to Madurai (NH 45B) with World Bank Loan Assistance — detailed project report is under finalisation.

Apart from the above, in the contemplated North - South Corridor of super express National Highways project of Government of India connecting Kashmir with Kanyakumari, in Tamil Nadu, Section length 407.49 Km of NH 7 Bangalore – Salem – Madurai Road and Section length 231.60 Km of Madurai – Kanyakumari road are covered.

In the Golden Quadrilateral programme of the Government of India, 373 Km length of National Highways in Tamil Nadu covering Chennai – Chittoor Road upto Ranipet (NH 4) 113.30 Km, Ranipet to Krishnagiri (NH 46) 146.70 Km, Bangalore Salem Road (NH 7) 61.0 Km and Chennai – Calcutta Road (NH 5) 52.0 Km are proposed to be upgraded.

2. STATE HIGHWAYS

The total length of State Highways as on date is 4192 Km During 2000–2001, seven bridge works and eight road works at an ultimate cost of Rs.5.40 Crores have been sanctioned under Part-II Scheme. The Budget provision is Rs.3.85 Crores

3. MAJOR DISTRICT ROADS

The total length of Major District Roads as on date is 10051 Km. During the year 2000–2001 priority is given for distressed bridges, and the Budget provision is Rs.5.96 Crores for spill over works.

4. OTHER DISTRICT ROADS

The total length of Other District Roads as on date is 40814 km. For the year 2000–2001, it has been identified that about 14139 Km of roads are in bad condition. For upgrading and improving Other District Roads, a scheme has been launched by mobilising funds through TIDCO to the tune of Rs.400 Crores. In addition, for spill over works under plan head, the Budget provision is Rs.6.44 Crores.

5. BRIDGES

REHABILITATION OF DISTRESSED BRIDGES ON GOVERNMENT ROADS

During the year 2000–2001, reconstruction of five bridges at an ultimate cost of Rs.1.30 Crores has been sanctioned under Part-II Scheme. The Budget provision is Rs.6.51 Crores including spill over works.

CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY OVER/UNDER BRIDGES IN LIEU OF EXISTING RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS

The Railway Under Bridge near Saint Thomas Mount Railway Station has been taken up for execution at an estimated cost of Rs.2.50 Crores. The work has been started.

The Railway over bridge at Tindivanam in lieu of existing level crossing on Pondy-Krishnagiri Road (NH 66) including construction of an interchange at the junction of NH-45 at a cost of Rs.19.89 Crores has been taken up under Economic and Inter State Importance Scheme with loan assistance from Government Of India, Ministries of Surface Transport and Railways. 80 % of the work has been completed and the work is programmed to be completed by June 2000.

The Railway over bridge on Cuddalore - Thirukoilur - Anaicut Road near Thirupathiripuliyur Railway Station has been taken up and Land Acquisition at a cost of Rs. 1.20 Crores is completed.

The Railway over bridge at Virudhunagar and Sankaralingapuram Railway Stations at a cost of Rs.7.40 Crores is in progress.

Construction of Railway Over / Under bridges in 12 places between Chennai Beach and Tambaram Station under Gauge conversion project has been programmed so as to completely eliminate the traffic congestion and to quicken the movement of vehicles. Out of these, 3 works are to be executed by Chennai Corporation and 1 work is to be funded by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The rest will be taken up the Highways Department .

In addition, construction of another Railway over bridge at a cost of Rs.20 Crores near M.I.T. between Chrompet and Tambaram Sanatorium Railway stations has been commenced.

Administrative sanction has also been accorded for an amount of Rs.50 Crores to take up the construction of 4 Railway over bridges in Trichirapalli in lieu of existing level crossing No: 41 near Uthamar Koil, LC No: 84 on Thennur Road, LC No: 85 at Hebar Road and LC No: 246 at Srirangam. These works will be commenced shortly.

Apart from the above, the Ministry of Railways have approved and included 31 Railway over / under bridges in the Railway Works Programme in Tamil Nadu.

The Budget provision for 2000–2001 is Rs.26.62 Crores.

IMPROVEMENTS TO ROADS AND CONSTRUCTION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES IN MAJOR DISTRICT ROADS AND OTHER DISTRICT ROADS WITH LOAN ASSISTANCE FROM NABARD

During the year 1996-97 and 1997-98 improvements to Major District Roads and Other District Roads have been taken up with Loan Assistance under RIDF.II of NABARD at a total cost of Rs.157.53 Crores which includes strengthening of roads to a length of 2823 km. and construction of seven numbers of bridges on these roads. 2700 Km of Road works and three bridges have been completed as on date. The balance road works and bridges are nearing completion.

During the year. 1998-99 Improvements to Major District Roads and Other District Roads to a length 366.58 Km spread over in districts of Pudukkotai, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram, and Kanyakumari, and 53 bridges with the loan assistance under RIDF.III of NABARD at a total cost of Rs.125.77 Crores were taken up. Of these, 207 Km of Road works and one bridge work have been completed as on date. The balance road works and 52 bridge works are programmed to be completed during this year.

During the year 1998-99 construction of 67 bridges and improvements to 28 Other District Roads to a length of 184 Km have been taken up with loan assistance under RIDF.IV of NABARD at a total cost of Rs.75.65 Crores. Of this, 78 Km of road works and 20 bridge works have been completed as on date and the balance works are programmed to be completed during this year.

During 1999–2000 construction of 15 bridges and improvements to 135 Other District roads to a length of 916.55 Km have been taken up with loan assistance under RIDF.V of NABARD at a total cost of Rs.78.10 Crores. Of this,15 Km of roads have been completed as on date and the balance works are under various stage of progress.

In addition to the above, construction of 27 Nos. flood damaged bridges have been taken up with loan assistance under RIDF.V of NABARD at a total cost of Rs.41.52 Crores. The bridge works are under various stage of progress.

During 2000–2001, a provision of Rs.141.96 Crores has been allocated under this Scheme.

106 BRIDGES TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN TAMIL NADU

Under the RIDF.II and III of NABARD, 54 bridge works have been sanctioned at a total cost of Rs.99.19 Crores, spread over in 25 Districts of Tamil Nadu. In another project, construction / reconstruction of 50 bridges have been taken up under HUDCO loan assistance at an ultimate cost of Rs.260.71 Crores during 1997 – 98. During 1998 – 99 rehabilitation of two distressed bridges have also been taken up under Part –II Scheme at an ultimate cost of Rs.1.10 Crores. These bridges constitute a group of 106 bridges at a cost of Rs.361.31 Crores. These 106 bridges were spilt into 17 packages and entrusted on TURNKEY basis for execution. As on date 16 bridges were completed and the balance bridges are under various stages of progress, which will be completed before December 2000.

6. ROADS IN SPECIAL AREAS

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RADIAL ROADS LEADING TO CHENNAI CITY UNDER HUDCO LOAN ASSISTANCE

The growing traffic intensity in and around Chennai City has necessitated the strengthening and widening of the Radial Roads leading to Chennai City. Since road network development is vital and basis for industrial development, Government have sanctioned a scheme for carrying out improvements to 251.6 Km of Radial Roads leading to Chennai City at a cost of Rs.212.54 Crores with 70% loan assistance (Rs.148.00 Crores) from HUDCO.

This work has been divided into eleven Packages and entrusted for execution. The works are in progress and programmed to be completed before December 2000.

IMPROVEMENTS TO RADIAL ROADS LEADING TO MADURAI

Detailed project report on improvements to Radial Roads leading to Madurai for seeking loan assistance from HUDCO is under Preparatio

BYEPASSES

In order to avoid traffic congestion in cities and towns, it is essential to have bye passes. A provision of Rs.2.18 Crores has been made in the 9^th Five Year Plan for acquisition of lands for bye passes. Under this scheme, sanction was accorded to acquire lands for the bye passes at Kumbakonam, Palani and Cheyyar. While acquisition of lands for Kumbakonam byepass is completed, the acquisition of land for Palani and Cheyyar is in progress.

Besides, widening improvement and upgrading of bye passes in National Highways in Salem and Karur are in progress. The formation of Chennai bye-pass is in an advanced stage. Land acquisition for Thirunelveli Byepass is also nearing completion. Coimbatore bye-pass has been completed on BOT basis and thrown open for traffic.

IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROADS IN INDUSTRIAL AREAS

Under this scheme, sanction was accorded to take up widening and strengthening of 69.75 Km of Government Roads at an ultimate cost of Rs.8.88 Crores. Sanction was accorded to widen and strengthen Virudhachalam - Tholudur Road km 26/0 – 49/0 at an ultimate cost of Rs.6.50 Crores. Tvl. India Cements and Ramco Cements have come forward to contribute Rs.3.00 Crores. This work is nearing completion. Improvements to Thiruneermalai Road Km 20/8-24/8, and Thiruneermalai – Thirumudivakkam road km 24/8 – 28/0 have been taken up at a total cost of Rs.3.45 Crores under the above scheme. The work is nearing completion.

Besides, improvements to Alapakkam Railway feeder road (0/0 –0/524) and Alapakkam Periyakuppam road via Thiruchopuram (km 0/0 – 2/8) covering a total distance of 3.5 km with construction of a high level bridge have also been taken up at a cost of Rs.3.65 Crores, so as to augment free flow of traffic on these roads, where Pennar Refineries is to be set up shortly in Periyakuppam in Cuddalore district under joint venture between TIDCO and M/S Nagarjuna Oil Corporation Ltd., and Government have agreed to contribute 50% of the road improvement cost.

The Budget provision for the Year 2000–2001 is Rs.3.08 Crores.

INFRASTRUCTURE ROAD DEVELOPMENT FOR TIRUPPUR TOWN UNDER. ECONOMIC AND INTERSTATE IMPORTANCE ROAD SCHEME

Tiruppur Town in Tamil Nadu is famous for Hosiery and Textiles products. It earns foreign exchange on exports. As a first phase, Government of India has agreed for a project for improvements to roads in and around Tiruppur Town at a cost of Rs.15.00 Crores. Government of India have agreed to extend a Central Loan Assistance of 50% of the cost of the project i.e. Rs.7.50 Crores under E & I scheme, and balance 50% will be met by State Government. The work is being executed in 7 packages covering 57.20 km of road improvement, 93 culverts and one bridge, and it is nearing completion.

Another project to form a ring road to Tiruppur and improvements of certain roads at a cost of Rs.50 Crores is to be forwarded to Government of India under E & I Scheme.

7. SPECIAL ROADS PROJECT

TAMIL NADU ROAD SECTOR PROJECT

About 3238 Km of roads in 23 corridors were identified through a strategic option study for up gradation and strengthening in Tamil Nadu. The World Bank came forward to render loan assistance for project preparation and implementation. Based on the economic feasibility study, 1280 Km of roads have been selected for up gradation, which will be done in three phases. Phase I consists of 397 Km of roads, Phase I A consists of another 353 Km of roads, Phase I B consists of 12 bye passes for the roads of Phase I and I A covering a distance of 80 Km, and Phase II consists of the remaining 450 Km of roads. This would lead continuity to East Cost Road from Cuddalore to Thoothukudi. The Economic Feasibility report for this entire project and Detailed Engineering Design for 750 Km of road in Phase I & IA have been completed. Phase I has roads from Cuddalore to Thoothukudi and Phase IA has road links to Arcot – Tiruvannamalai – Tirukoyilur – Ulundurpet; Polur – Chengam; Vridhachalam – Kumbakkonam – Tiruvarur and Ariyalur – Jayamkonda Cholapuram. Phase I B has been taken up for prefeasibility, after which Phase II shall be taken up.

The indicated loan amount by the World Bank is US $ 310 M (Rs.1330 Crores) for widening and strengthening of roads and US $ 100 M (Rs.430 Crores) for the maintenance of roads.

Special revenue staffs are in position to take up land acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement. Similarly Special Forest staffs are available to consider tree planting programme and environmental issues.

The institutional development study has been done by M/s. Booz Allen & Hamilton, USA, at a value of Rs.2.80 Crores. This involves suggestion to restructure the Highways Department to function in an efficient manner. Financial Management study valued at Rs.25 Lakhs is in progress through a consultant. The World Bank has intended to fund Rs.4.00 Crores to construct a building for project staff.

The project will be implemented through prequalified contractors and supervision consultants. The construction work is expected to commence in 2000–2001 after the appraisal of the project by the World Bank.

The Budget provision for this project for the year 2000–2001 is Rs.30.00 Crores.