NABARD and Rural Roads Wing

HISTORY
Rural Roads wing was formed in 1972 to achieve the twin objectives of improving the Rural Roads to Other District Roads (ODR) standard as well as providing new connectivity to Villages which are not served by any black topped road so far. Since then for the past 37 years, this wing under takes improvements of Panchayat and Panchayat union roads under the following three schemes.

• Rural Roads Scheme.
• Special Component Plan Scheme.
• Bus Route Improvement Scheme.

During the year 2003, NABARD wing merged with this Rural roads wing and renamed as NABARD and Rural Roads wing.

OBJECTIVES ;
            NABARD and Rural Roads wing is aimed to provide and improve connectivity for villages to the Marketing centres, Hospitals, Educational Institutions, Major District Roads (MDR) and Other District Roads (ODR) thereby uplifting the economic and social welfare of the rural poor. The Project also serve to create new economic opportunities and activities , generate additional employment and income, facilitate and improve delivery of other rural services and enhance democratic processes and skills among rural poor.

PROGRAMME AND PROJECTS
Since 1996, after the advent of the NABARD loan assistance under RIDF the rural roads are improved and handed over to the respective Panchayat Unions. Development of rural infrastructure is crucial for the social, economic and cultural growth of a country. Tamil Nadu government is striving hard to develop rural road network in the state under various schemes.

1. Rural Roads Scheme.
Under this scheme, Panchayat and Panchayat Union Roads are upgraded with  B.T road connectivity to the habitations with a population between 500 to 1000  with NABARD Loan Assistance. 
2. Special Component Plan Scheme.
Under the scheme, Panchayat and Panchayat Union Roads are upgraded with B.T road connectivity to the Adi-Dravidar habitations where the Adi-Dravidar population is more than 50% of the total population are upgraded with NABARD Loan Assistance. 
3. Bus Route Improvement Scheme.
This scheme contemplates up-gradation of Bus Plying Rural Roads (Panchayat and Panchayat Union Roads) with NABARD Loan Assistance benefiting villages having a population between 500 and 1000.  Those roads where buses are plying presently or buses were plying for a period of at least three years  are taken up for up-gradation under this scheme. 
            In the beginning of 2008-09, the rural development and Panchayat Raj Department has taken a policy decision to take up improvement of Panchayat and Panchayat Union Roads by Rural Development Department. As per this policy decision, now the improvements of these roads are being taken up by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.

IMPROVEMENT TO ODR / MDR :
Construction / Re-construction of bridges in Other District Roads / Major District Roads are being takenup by this wing with NABARD Loan Assistance.
MAINTENANCE OF ROADS:
            Under the Maintenance of roads, 4225 Km length of Panchayat and Panchayat union roads which have been improved by this wing and 4915 Km length of Other District Roads were maintained at a cost of Rs.654 Crores from the 12th Finance Commission Grant.
CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES UNDER TSUNAMI EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (TEAP) WITH LOAN ASSISTANCE FROM ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK :
            Under this scheme, construction of 5 Bridges and one road work in the Tsunami affected Districts of  Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Tiruvallur in Tamil Nadu has been taken up  and completed with loan assistance from Asian Development Bank. 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ASSISTED TSUNAMI REHABILITATION PROGRAMME  ( TRP ):
This scheme contemplates Improvements to 18 Roads and construction of 6 bridges in Tsunami affected District of Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu with Grant from Government of India under Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme Scheme. Of which 15 road works and 3 bridge works has been completed.
ACHIEVEMENTS  :
PHYSICAL:
From the year 2003-04 to 2010-11 (upto June ’10) 9624 Km length of roads and construction of 496 bridge works were takenup for execution. Of which 9534 Km length of roads improved and 451 bridges were constructed upto June 2010. The Status given in ANNEXURE - I
FINANCIAL:
            The Year wise allotment and expenditure under Plan and Non-Plan works incurred by this wing is given below.

ON GOING WORKS
List of works takenup during 2010-11 given in ANNEXURE – II (a)
COMPLETED WORKS
List of works completed   during 2009-10 given in ANNEXURE – II (b)
NEW PROPOSAL (2010-11):

• Construction of 121 distressed bridges at a cost of Rs.250 Crores. With loan assistance by NABARD

      List given in ANNEXURE– III (a)

• Widening / Strengthening of  329 Km length of Other District Roads / Major  District Roads at a cost of Rs.137 Crores With loan assistance by NABARD

      List given in ANNEXURE – III (b)

DUTIES OF OFFICIALS:
Given in Annexure - IV

For Chief Engineer (H),
NABARD & Rural Roads,
        Chennai - 32.