TN to spend over Rs 900 cr for developing roads

Chennai, Apr 28 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government will spend Rs 983 crore under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) for widening and stregthening roads as per IRC standards, Highways Minister Vellakoil M P Saminathan told the State Assembly today.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said the Government had sanctioned widening of 780 km and stregthening of 140 km of State highways and construction of four minor bridges at a total cost of Rs 310.13 crore under CRIDP.

In 2007-2008, the Government had accorded sanction for widening 817 km, strengthening 108 km of major district roads and construction of culverts at a total cost of Rs 225 crore, he said, adding that a provision of Rs 283.92 crore had been made in 2008-2009 for the ongoing as well as new works.

Under CRIDP, it was proposed to take up improvement works of other district roads in about 1,500 km during 2008-2009.

Mr Saminathan said under the second phase of CRIDP, the Government had proposed to take up construction of 12 bridges in various districts at a cost of Rs 10.34 crore.

The Minister said budgetary provision of Rs 42.50 crore had been made for Tsunami Emergency Assistance Project (TEAP) with the Asian Development Bank's assistance in Tsunami-affected coastal areas of the State during 2008-2009.

''A provision of Rs 164.10 crore has also been made for improvement of roads and construction of bridges under the Centrally-assisted Tsunami Rehabilitaion programme,'' he added.

UNI SNR GD SY AS1754