The Hindu Business Line : Rs 140-cr Central aid to improve TN roads: Baalu

A SUM of Rs 140 crore has been sanctioned from the Central Road Fund to improve 107 roads in Tamil Nadu , the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Mr T.R. Baalu, has said.

Addressing a press meet organised by the National Highways Authority of India , he said sites have been earmarked for laying a stretch of the 14.5-km bypass around Madurai at an estimated cost of Rs 71 crore along Samayanallur, Madurai-Theni road and Thoppur.

He said that following works are to be taken up in the State: flyovers in 122 places at a cost of Rs 400 crore, railway over-bridge in 17 places at a cost of Rs 134 crore, bypasses in 38 places at a cost of Rs 180 crore and over-bridge in 23 places at a cost of Rs 280 crore.

The Madurai-Munnar re-laying road works covering 99 km as NH 47 extension has been sanctioned. At the all-India level, 7,981 km of roads are to be converted into two or four-way lanes.

A national inland waterways scheme is being evolved.

He said the scheme of issuing smart card and driving licence for vehicle owners would be implemented from November 10 onwards.

The card cannot be forged and would have details of the owners, which would be useful at the time of accidents.

A national road maintenance scheme, providing employment to the unemployed graduates is under preparation, he said.