The World Bank will lend Rs 1,912 crore and the state government will provide Rs 530 crore for Rs 2,442-crore road projects in Tamil Nadu, which will be completed by March 2010.
The projects, which commenced in November 2003 have led to construction of roads of international standards, carrying out enhanced periodical maintenance, strengthening of institutions and initiating policy development works, MP Saminathan, minister for highways and minor ports said in the policy note, 2009-10 of his ministry tabled in the state Assembly on Friday.
Under the project, the 378-km northern corridor from Arcot to Thiruvarur was taken up in a single package at a cost of Rs 768.5 crore. It would be completed by March 2010. The 334-km eastern corridor from Nagapattinam to Thoothukkudi has been taken up under three packages. Under the first package, 116 km has been completed and opened to traffic. The other two would be completed by March 2010, the minister said.
The 120-km road stretch from Thoothukkudi to Kanyakumari would also be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 109 crore. Works would be taken up this year after completing a detailed project report, he said.
Under maintenance of roads, work on 1,012-km roads has been taken up at a total cost of Rs 420 crore. “Of this, work in 848 km had already been completed after investing Rs 302.28 crore and the remaining works were expected to be completed in the current year??, Saminathan said.
Under the project, consultants from the World Bank have developed a road accident data management system in coordination with the police, highways and transport department. A GIS-based computerised software for accident recording, storage, analysis and dissemination has been developed. Work on establishment of a centralised accident data management cell was in progress and police, highway engineers and transport officials have been trained in various aspects of accident management and accident-prone zones.
For getting loan assistance from World Bank and other international funding agencies, a `strategic option study? for all roads in Tamil Nadu was in progress on technological and economic feasibility basis. Consultants would be engaged to carry out feasibility studies as per World Bank guidelines to be eligible for loan assistance, he added.
Saminathan said between 2006 and 2009, 2501.67 crore was spent on periodical renewal and maintenance of road infrastructure developed under various schemes.