NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The National Highway roads serve as through corridors for the movement of people and freight across State capitals, major ports, industrial areas and connects to popular tourist destinations of the nation. These roads are therefore subjected to heavy traffic intensity.
The length of National Highways in the State of Tamil Nadu is 4994 km out of which 1985 km are maintained by National Highways wing and the balance 3009 km are maintained by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The Tamil Nadu National Highways wing is headed by Chief Engineer who administratively controls four circles and eight divisions.
The works such as improvements, widening the carriageway to two lane / two lane with paved shoulders / four lane / multi-lane, strengthening, construction of bridges and maintenance works are being carried out by this wing.
Major functionaries of the National Highways :
National Highways Works
- NH (O) Works
- PR / IRQP works
Centrally Sponsored Scheme works
- Revamped Central Road Fund Scheme (RCRF).
- Inter State Connectivity Scheme (ISC)
- Economic Importance (EI) Scheme.
- Hill Area Development Programme (HADP).
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
National Highways works
The National Highways works comprises of Original and Maintenance works which are exclusively funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H), Government of a India.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes :
The Government of India with the accruals from 50% cess levied on the consumption of High Speed Diesel and entire 100% cess on Petrol, formulated the Central Road Fund. Out of this, 30% of the amount is allocated annually for development and maintenance of State roads under Revamped Central Road Fund/ Economic Importance / Inter State Connectivity Schemes.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) :
The PMGSY / Bharat Nirman Programme was launched by Ministry of Rural Development with the funds from the accruals of 50% cess levied on High Speed Diesel to provide road connectivity to the unconnected habitations of rural India and upgradation of existing rural roads. Out of this, upgradation of Other District Roads which have been included in the Core Network are being executed by the National Highways wing.
National Highways-Original Works
17 road works having a length of 418 km and 10 bridge works at a cost of Rs.1544 Crore were taken up as spill over works during 2016-17. Under Annual Plan 2016-17, the MORT&H, Government of India has sanctioned 31 road works to a length of 69.84 km and 7 Bridge works amounting to Rs.307.91 Crore.
Out of the above, 9 road works to a length of 310 km and 6 bridge works have been completed incurring an expenditure of Rs.640.11 Crore. The remaining works are in progress
The following are a few major works which have been completed / under implementation in plan works.
Completed projects :
- Providing paved shoulder in km.120/0-183/2 of NH 49 (Madurai - Dhanushkodi road) to a length of 60.80 km at a cost of Rs.118.77 Crore.
- Providing Paved Shoulder km 68/4-111/4 of NH 230 (Madurai – Thondi road)to a length of 43 km at a cost of Rs.65.24 Crore.
- Widening from two lane to four Lane in km 24/3-36/0 of NH 49 Extn. (Madurai – Theni road up to Kerala border) to a length of 11.70 km at a cost of Rs.58.60 Crore.
- Construction of major bridge at Suchindram on NH 47 – Kanniyakumari - Kerala border road at a cost of Rs.7.54 Crore.
Projects under implementation :
- Construction of flyover from Km.604/252 to Km.607/060 (Marthandam Junction) and from Km.630/116 to Km.631/650 (Parvathipuram Junction) of NH 47 - Kanniyakumari - Kerala border road, at a cost of Rs.307.70 Crore.
- Construction of Paved Shoulders in Km.81/0-203/0 of NH 234 (Villupuram- Mangalore road) to a length of 116.60 km at a cost of Rs.268.92 Crore.
- Widening to 4-lane / 4-lane with paved shoulders and strengthening of existing carriageway in km 0/0-31/8 of NH 381 (Avinashi - Tirupur - Avinashipalayam road) to a length of 31.8 km at a cost of Rs.162.72 Crore.
- Rehabilitation and upgradation of NH226 Extn from Km 0/0-66/2 to 2 lane with paved shoulders for 66.2 km at a cost of Rs.161.70 Crore.
- Providing paved shoulders /Four laning in km 0/0 – 57/8 of NH 532 (Cuddalore - Vridhachalam - Salem road) to a length of 50.2 Km at a cost of Rs.158.35 Crore.
MISSING LINK OF NH - 49 (Madurai - Dhanushkodi road)
The long felt need of the people of Rameshwaram has been fulfilled after 50 years by providing connectivity from Mugundharayarchatiram to Arichalmunai (Erosion point) in Madurai – Dhanushkodi road (NH 49) at a cost of Rs.65.68 Crore to a length of 9.5 Km which was destroyed in the Dhanushkodi Cyclone during the year 1964.
The above road has been inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on 27.07.2017
RECTIFICATION OF BLACK SPOTS
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India (GoI) has formulated Road Safety cell (Engineering) with a vision to eliminate all black spots through out the country. Based on the fatality report for the year 2011, 2012 & 2013 obtained from the Home Department 100 Nos of the black spots were identified by MoRT&H, GOI.
Out of 100 No. of black spots, 20 No. of black spots are located on NHs under the control of State NH wing and the remaining 80 No. are located on NHs under the control of NHAI. A committee had been constituted for preliminary inspection and suggestion of remedial measures of 20 black spots by the Chief Engineer (National Highways). This committee inspected all the black spots and submitted its report
Out of the above 20 black spots, remedial measures for 3 black spots on NH 209, NH 47 and NH 226Extn were included in ongoing NH (O) works. The estimates for the rectification of the remaining 17 black spots have been sanctioned by the Ministry for an amount of Rs.96.80 Crore and are in progress. In order to avert occurrence of accidents till the commissioning of these works, immediate cautionary measures in the form of road signages, speed breakers etc., at a cost of Rs.42.79 Lakhs have been provided in these black spot locations. The details are given in Table 1.
Table 1: Road safety -Rectification of black spots
| Sl.No. | Location of Black Spot | NH NO | Cost required for Short Term / Medium Term Measures Rs. in Crore | Cost required for Long Term Measures Rs. in Crore | Cost of Immediate Cautionary measures Rs. in Crore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distirct : Cuddalore | |||||
| 1 | Maruvai Bridge | 45C | 0.08 | - | 0.01 |
| 2 | Pannikkankuppam | 45C | 2.21 | - | 0.01 |
| 3 | Cuddalore - OT Clock tower to karaikadu junction | 45A | 1.01 | - | 0.05 |
| 4 | Cuddalore - Chidambaram road | 45A | 0.82 | - | 0.01 |
| 5 | Cuddalore - Chidambaram road | 45A | 1.22 | - | 0.03 |
| Distirct : Vellore | |||||
| 6 | Veppaneri to K.V.Kuppam santhaimedu - adugandhangal main 38/10, 42/5 | 234 | 3.75 | 0.05 | |
| District : Coimbatore | |||||
| 7 | Thernilai - Unjawelampatty | 209 | 24.88 | 0.03 | |
| 8 | Mathampalayam Salval Company | 67 | 8.13 | 0.01 | |
| 9 | Gas Company | 67 | 15.60 | 0.01 | |
| 10 | Viswanathapuram Near VG Hospital | 67 | 9.53 | 0.01 | |
| 11 | Ondipudur - Sungam | 67 | 22.78 | 0.07 | |
| 12 | North - Coimbatore to Mettupalayam Checkpost | 67 | 22.78 | 0.07 | |
| 13 | Saravanampatty - GP signal | 209 | 22.78 | 0.07 | |
| 14 | Ukkadam - Eachanari | 209 | 22.78 | 0.07 | |
| District : Ariyalur | |||||
| 15 | V.Kaikattil four junction | 227 | 1.40 | 0.04 | |
| District : Nagapattinam | |||||
| 16 | Rajivpuram to Thirukadaiyur | 45A | 2.08 | 0.04 | |
| District : Tirunelveli | |||||
| 17 | Vasudevanallur to Othakadai | 208 | 3.38 | 0.02 | |
| Sub Total | 8.84 | 87.95 | 0.43 | ||
| Grand Total for all measures:Rs.96.79 Crore | |||||
Periodical Renewal (PR)/ Improvement of Riding Quality programme (IRQP) Works
During the financial year 2016-17, 21 road works to a length of 243 km amounting to Rs.151.90 Crore were taken up as spill over under Periodical Renewal (PR) / Improvement of Riding Quality programme (IRQP). Out of which 20 works to a length of 224.72 km have been completed incurring an expenditure of Rs.139.56 Crore.
Further, MoRT&H, GoI sanctioned 12 road works to a length of 91.44 km at a cost of Rs.61.52 Crore under PR/IRQP 2016-17. These works are in progress.
Revamped Central Road Fund Scheme (RCRF) :
During the year 2016-17, 73 road works to a length of 479.31 km and 3 bridge works were taken up as spill over to a tune of Rs.263.92 Crore.
Out of the above, 70 road works to a length of 454.11 km and one bridge work have been completed at a cost of Rs.162.92 Crore during 2016-17. Balance works are in progress.
147 road works to a length of 762.67 km and one bridge work amounting to Rs.605.66 Crore was approved by the Government of India under RCRF 2016-17. These works are in progress.
Further, The Ministry has accorded administrative approval for 47 road works to a length of 372.97 Km and 3 bridge works and amounting to Rs.355.92 Crore during the year 2017-18.
Inter State Connectivity Scheme (ISC) :
Under this scheme, 2 road works to a length of 95.85 km were taken up as spillover to a tune of Rs.90.13 Crore and the works are in progress .
During the year 2016-17, the MoRT&H ,GOI has sanctioned 5 road works to a length of 69.80 km and amounting to Rs.90.99 Crore. Out of these four works are in tender stage and one work is in progress.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase X (2016-17) :
In continuation to PMGSY-Phase-IX, MoRD, GOI has sanctioned 41 Other District Road works to a length of 129.69 km and amounting to Rs.37.02 Crore during the year 2016-17 under PMGSY Phase - X. Out of this, 28 road works to a length of 85.80 km have been completed incurring the expenditure of Rs.23.61 Crore. The remaining works are in progress.
OVERALL EXPENDITURE (2016-17) AND ALLOTMENT FOR 2017-18
Through Ministry funds, under National Highways works an expenditure of Rs.798.27 Crore has been incurred for the Widening/ Improvements/ Construction of bridges of National Highway roads and for the development of the state roads under Interstate connectivity scheme /Economic importance scheme, an expenditure of Rs.51.66 Crore has been incurred during the financial year 2016-17.
For the Centrally sponsored state schemes, under Revamped central road scheme and Bharat Nirman maintenance fund scheme, an expenditure of Rs.168.61 Crore has been incurred during the financial year 2016-17.
Further, for the financial year 2017-18, a budget provision of Rs.505.03 Crore has been earmarked for the Centrally sponsored state schemes .
Other Activities
REHABILITATION OF BRIDGES / CULVERTS :
Based on the instructions of the Ministry, weak Bridges / Culverts have been identified and the proposal for rehabilitation of the same amounting to Rs.101.83 Crore has been sent to Ministry and approval is awaited.
SETU BHARATAM - CONSTRUCTION OF ROB / RUBS IN LIEU OF LEVEL CROSSINGS ON NHS
Setu Bharatam programme was launched by Government of India on 04.03.2016 with an aim to make all National Highways free of railway level crossings by 2019. This is being done to prevent the frequent accidents and loss of lives at level crossings. Under this scheme, MoRT&H, GOI has engaged consultants for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the construction of 8 Nos. of ROB / RUB in lieu of Level crossing on National Highways (Table 2). After approval of DPR from the Ministry, the works are proposed to be taken in the year 2017-18.
Table 2: List of ROBs/RUBs proposed under Setu Bharatam Scheme
| Sl.No. | NH No. | LC No. | Chainage and Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 49 Ext | 17 | Km 22/2 (Near Checkkanurani) |
| 2 | 49 Ext | 44 | Km 50/3 (Near Usilampatti) |
| 3 | 49 Ext | 68 | Km 72/6-7 (Near Theni) |
| 4 | 49 Ext | 85 | Km 93/4 (Near Bodi) |
| 5 | 49 | 518 | Km 134/8 (Uchipuli) |
| 6 | 208 | 503 | Km 99/4 (Near Tenkasi Elanchi) |
| 7 | 234 | 86 | 103/4 (Polur –Madimangalam) |
| 8 | 234 | 109 | Km 81/6 of (Kannamangalam - Kaniyambadi) |
DECLARATION OF NEW NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The MoRT&H has accorded ‘In-principle’ approval for the upgradation of 19 State Highways roads as National Highways to a length of 1333.40 Km. The details are furnished in the Table 3.
Table 3: List of State Highways declared “In-Principle” as National Highways
| Sl.No. | Name of State Road | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karaikudi - Pattukottai - Thanjavur road | 70.00 |
| 2 | Perambalur - Athoor road | 55.00 |
| 3 | Salem - Uttankarai - Thirupathur road | 141.00 |
| 4 | Thiruvannamalai - Kallakuruchi road | 65.00 |
| 5 | Thoppur - Mettur - Bhavani - Erode road | 85.00 |
| 6 | Srivilliputhoor - Sivakasi - Virudhunagar - Aruppukottai - Thiruchuli - Parthibanoor road | 105.00 |
| 7 | Dindugal - Karaikudi road | 109.00 |
| 8 | Vallioor - Thiruchendur road | 70.00 |
| 9 | Chengalpattu - Mamallapuram | 29.00 |
| 10 | Kodaighat - Kodaikannal - Palani | 52.00 |
| 11 | Tiruppur - Oddanchatram road | 90.80 |
| 12 | Kollegal - Hanur - MM hills - Palar road - Tamil nadu border extended upto Mettur in Tamil nadu | 30.00 |
| 13 | Mettupalayam - Bhavani road | 98.00 |
| 14 | Avinashi - Mettupalayam road | 38.00 |
| 15 | Bhavani - Karur road | 77.00 |
| 16 | Trichy - Namakkal road | 77.00 |
| 17 | Palani - Dharapuram Road | 31.00 |
| 18 | Arcot - Tindivanam road | 91.00 |
| 19 | Nelvoy - Pallikonda road | 19.60 |
| Total Length | 1333.40 |
Of the 19 road stretches, 3 roads have been declared as new National Highways during the year 2017-18. The details of which are tabulated below.(Table 4).
Table 4 : Newly Declared National Highways
| Sl.No. | NH No. | Description | From | To | Length in Km (Total Length) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 544H | Thoppur - Mettur- Bhavani - Erode | 0.000 | 93.980 | 93.980 |
| 2 | 136 | Athur - Perambalur | 0.000 | 56.400 | 56.400 |
| 3 | 179A | Salem - Thirupathur - Vaniyambadi | 0.000 | 125.200 | 125.200 |
| Sub total | 275.580 | ||||
In the remaining 16 road streches, DPR for Tiruppur - Oddanchatram road is being carried out by TNRSP wing, GoTN, DPR for Chengalpattu-Mamallapuram & Kodai ghat-Kodaikannal-Palani road is being carried out by NHAI. The DPR for remaining road stretches are being carried out by State NH wing and it is in various stages of tendering process.
