HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT

In Tamil Nadu, a separate National Highways wing was created in the year 1971 and functioning under a separate Chief Engineer (NH) with four Superintending Engineers and fifteen Divisional engineers with supporting staff.

The length of National Highways in Tamil Nadu at the time of formation of National Highways Wing in 1971 was 1816 Kms. Based on the availability of funds, the Government of India have been declaring some of the State Government roads as National Highways. Till 1991, the total length of National Highways in Tamil Nadu was only 1998 Kms.

The Government of India declared 563 Kms of State roads to national Highways roads during 1998, 1213 kms during 1999 and another 76 kms during 2000. The conversion made in 1999 by upgrading 1213 kms of State Highways to National Highways was the maximum declared at any time. The total Length of National Highways network has increased from 1998 kms in 1991 to 4873 kms in 2011.

The maintenance and improvement works in the National Highways are financed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways from Central Government Funds and the works are executed by the National Highways wing of the Highways Department. Under various schemes as mentioned below.

Revamped Central Road Fund
Government of India has setup the Central Road Fund with the accruals from 50 % of cess levied on High speed diesel and entire cess collected on petrol for the development and maintenance of National Highways & other roads.
From this 30% of amount, is being distributed for development and maintenance of State roads under Revamped Central Road Fund Scheme. Out of this amount, 10% shall be kept as reserved by the Central Government for allocation to States for implementation of State Road Schemes of Inter State (100% Grant) and Economic Importance (50% Grant).
Revamped the Central Road Fund scheme:
            Under this scheme, from 2006 to 2010 (till December) 1413 Km length of roads and 20 nos of bridges have been completed for an amount of Rs. 574 crores (approximately).
Further,

• It is anticipated that, nearly 10 Km length of road works and 1 no of bridge work will be completed for an amount of Rs. 20 crores till January 2011.
• It is anticipated that, nearly 15 Km length of road works and 1 no of bridge work will be completed for an amount of Rs. 30 crores till February 2011.
• It is anticipated that, nearly 10 Km length of road works and 1 no of bridge work will be completed for an amount of Rs. 26 crores till March 2011.

Economic Importance Scheme (50% Central Assistance)
Under this scheme, from 2008 to 2010 (till December) 25 Km length of road works have been completed for an amount of Rs. 8 crores (approximately).        
Further,

• It is anticipated that, nearly Rs. 9 crores value of works will be completed till March 2011.

Inter State Connectivity Scheme (100% Central Assistance)

Under this scheme, from 2007 to 2010 (till December) 17 Km length of road works and construction of new bridge at Vellore City across Palar river have been completed for an amount of Rs. 33 crores (approximately).
Further, the Major Bridge work of “Construction of new bridge across river Palar” completed under this scheme for an amount of Rs. 15.98 crores” was opened to traffic on 07.05.2010, by the Hon’ble Minister for Law & Justice.
Further,

• It is anticipated that, nearly Rs. 1 crore expenditure will be incurred till March 2011.

Bharat Nirman Scheme

Under Phase I of this scheme (2008-09), 257 nos of Other District Road works for a length of 1124 Km have been completed for an amount of Rs. 196 crores (approximately) till December 2010.

Under Phase II of this scheme (2008-09), 17 nos of Other District Road works for a length of 53 Km have been completed for an amount of Rs. 5 crores (approximately) till December 2010.

Bridges constructed under
Revamped Central Road Fund Scheme

Name of the Work                - Construction of High Level Bridge at 
                                               km.21/10 of Vadamadurai-                                      
                                               Oddanchatram road (MDR)

Technical sanction            - Rs. 492.00 Lakhs

Scheme                                         -     Revamped Central Road fund scheme
                                                            (2005-06)

Name of the Work                - Construction of Minor bridge at
                                              Km.106/8 of Pollachi-Dharampuram-
                                              Karur road (SH)

Technical sanction            - Rs.72.60 Lakhs

Scheme                                         -     Revamped Central Road fund scheme
                                                            (2008-09)

NH - Plan works & Non Plan works
For the development and improvement of National Highways roads and Bridges in Tamil Nadu, fund is allotted under NH (O) works by the Ministry in every year. Further, the Ministry have released fund for the maintenance and renewal of National Highways in Tamil Nadu under Maintenance & Repairs works in every year.

• From the period of 2006 to 2010 (December), Rs.528 crores have been incurred  for the improvement of 1203 km length of roads and             Rs.125 crores have been incurred for the maintenance of 311 km length of roads, also Rs. 20.28 crores have been incurred for Flood damage Repairs.

• The Major Bridges of Tiruvalam (NH 4) & Kuzhithurai (NH 47) and Sanaveli   (NH 210) have been completed and opened to public at a cost of Rs.43.85 crores in the year 2007-08 and 2009-10 respectively. Moreover, from the period of 2006 to 2010 (December), 23 minor bridges have been completed at a cost of  Rs. 23.50 crores.

Land Acquisition for National Highways Authority of India

            The Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has extended his appreciation for expediting the Land Acquisition process and sending the proposal for 3480.79 Hectares of land required for National Highways Authority of India.

Bypasses under execution of National Highways of India
            Upto 2006, 6 Nos of bypasses have been completed under National Highways Development Projects (NHDP).
            From 2006 to December 2010, 38 Nos of bypasses have been completed under National Highways Development Projects (NHDP).
            Further, 13 Nos of bypasses are under execution.    

Land Acquisition for National Highways Authority of India
Tamil Nadu Government plays a vital role in acquiring land for the completion of Projects by National Highways Authority of India. Since formation of NHAI and upto March 2006, 709 hectares of land has been acquired and handed over to NHAI for projects.
Tamil Nadu Government has paid special attention to land acquisition and during the period from April 2006 to December 2010, 7301 hectares of land has been acquired and handed over to NHAI for projects.
            To expedite the process of land acquisition, a meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister at Chennai on 26.02.2010 in which the officials of Department participated. At the end of the meeting, the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister advised the officials of the National Highways Authority of India to expedite execution of the above projects. This work is being carried out swiftly at present.
Status of Land Acquisition for National Highways Authority of India Projects (as on 20.01.11)