Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority to be set up to implement road development projects

The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to establish a statutory body, the 'Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority,' aimed at implementing road infrastructure projects across the state. This initiative seeks to incorporate globally recognized best management practices. The proposal for the establishment of this authority will be introduced through a bill in the ongoing Budget session, with the objective of facilitating substantial investments in road infrastructure development, particularly through public-private partnerships, as revealed in the Tamil Nadu Budget 2024-25.

Allocations in the Budget Estimates highlight a significant investment of ₹20,043 crore for the Highways and Minor Ports Department, indicating a strong commitment to road infrastructure enhancement.

Under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Programme, the completion of road widening projects spanning 1,262 km, at an estimated cost of ₹2,587 crore, has been announced. Additionally, ongoing works valued at ₹4,881 crore are currently underway.

To alleviate traffic congestion in major cities, the government has initiated the construction of 16 bypass roads, investing ₹2,824 crore. Furthermore, to mitigate disruptions during the monsoon season, the construction of 1,113 high-level bridges, with an investment of ₹2,006 crore, has been undertaken. Notably, 683 of these bridges have been completed and made operational, while construction on the remaining 430 is in progress.

Looking ahead, several key projects are slated for implementation, including the construction of an outer ring road in Sivakasi, ring road in Mannargudi, and bypass road in Dindigul, among others, at an estimated cost of ₹665 crore under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme.

Addressing specific traffic bottlenecks, a feasibility study will be conducted to explore the viability of constructing a four-lane elevated corridor along the Thiruvanmiyur-Uthandi stretch on the East Coast Road.

Furthermore, significant budget allocations have been earmarked for various road infrastructure projects, including ₹8,365 crore for the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme, ₹2,267 crore for the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Project, and ₹908 crore for the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor Project.

The rejuvenation of the Cuddalore port, after 40 years of inactivity, with an investment of ₹150 crore, and additional tenders to enhance its handling capacity to 35 lakh tonnes per annum, are expected to spur economic growth in the central region of Tamil Nadu, according to the Budget announcement.

HBL