NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
The major road network connecting State capitals, major ports, large industrial areas and tourist centres as well as notified by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India (GoI) are classified as the National Highways
The length of National Highways in the State of Tamil Nadu is 6606 Km. Out of this, 1640 Km length of NHs entrusted to Government of Tamil Nadu are maintained by State National Highways wing and the balance 4966 Km is 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 thirteen divisions and four Quality control divisions.
The works such as widening to Two lane with paved shoulders / Four lane / Four lane with Paved Shoulder, Strengthening of National Highways Roads and construction / rehabilitation of bridges and maintenance of National Highways are being carried out by this wing.
Major functionaries of the National Highways :
National Highways Works:-
✔ Plan Works - Annual Plan - NH(O)
✔ Non-Plan Works like Periodic Renewal (PR) / Improvement of Riding Quality Program (IRQP)/ Special Repairs (SR)
✔ Road Safety works
✔ Flood Damage Restoration Works (FDR)
Centrally Sponsored Scheme works:
✔ Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Scheme (CRIF).
✔ Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
New Schemes:
✔ PARVATMALA PARIYOJANA
✔ SETU BANDHAN
1. National Highways works
The National Highways works comprises of Improvement and Maintenance works which are exclusively funded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRT&H), Government of India.
1.1 Annual plan
Plan Works – NH (Original works)
The widening, strengthening of roads , formation of bypasses including LA, Construction, rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bridges, Culverts and Construction of Fly overs / Grade Separators / ROBs / LVUPs of National Highways are taken up as Plan works.
In the financial year 2021-22, under Annual Plan works have been sanctioned for Rs.2791.87Cr. In the Financial year 2022-23, sanction ceiling of Rs.1946.00Cr allocated by MoRTH under Annual Plan.
Major Projects under implementation (under Annual Plan taken up by NH wing):
Widening to Four Lane:
● Km 80/0 - Km 125/0 of NH179A (Salem- Tirupathur -Vaniyambadi Road) – Rs.302.62Cr
● Km 36/0 – Km 80/0 of NH 179A (Salem – Tirupathur – Vaniambadi road) – Rs.297.55Cr
● Selected Stretches in Musiri - Namakkal road (NH 381B) – Rs.288.69Cr
● Widening to Four lane from Km 170/2-172/0 & Widening to Two lane with PS from km 176/0- 204/8 of NH 209 (Coimbatore – Annur – Sathyamangalam – Thimbam – Bangalore Road) – Rs.73.32Cr
● Widening to 4 Lane with PS from Km 0/0 – 10/0 of NH 210 – Rs.68.00Cr
● Selected stretches of NH 532 (Cuddalore-Vridhachalam-Salem Road) – Rs.257.14Cr (Tender Stage)
Road Over Bridges – SETU BHARATHAM SCHEME:
● ROB @ LC No.109A/3T of NH 234 – Kannamangalam – Rs.98.55Cr
● ROB @ LC No.68 of NH 49Extn – Theni – Rs.92.02Cr
● ROB @ LC No.86 of NH 234 – Ettivadi – Rs.64.18Cr
● ROB @ LC No.17 of NH 49Extn – Chekkanurani – Rs.59.38Cr
● ROB @ LC No.85 of NH 49Extn – Bodi – Rs.45.18Cr
● ROB @ >LC No. 503/Spl-A-3/E of NH 208 – Tenkasi – Rs.43.39Cr
Bypasses – Land Acquisition:
● Vellore Bypass in NH 234 – Rs.117.50Cr
● Vettavalam Bypass in NH 234 – Rs.28.04Cr
Construction of Bypasses:
● Madurai - Achampathu - Viratipathu Bypass in NH 49 Extn – Rs.238.97Cr
● Gudiyatham Bypass in NH 234 – Rs.221.03Cr
● Thiruvaiyaru Bypass in NH 226Extn - Rs.191.33Cr
● Bagalur Bypass in NH 207 – Rs.90.00Cr
Flyover/Grade Separator/VUP:
● Flyover at Periyanaickenpalayam Junction of NH67 – Rs.115.24Cr
● Flyover at Km 15/2 of NH49Extn (Madurai Kamaraj University) – Rs.52.04Cr
● Grade separator at Kochadai Junction of NH49Extn - Rs.53.95Cr
● ROB at Km 113/4 and Grade separator at Km 113/800 of NH-4 – Rs.34.16Cr>
● Grade separator at Km 144/2 of NH234 - Rs.21.47Cr
● Vehicular Under Pass (Ammakulam Cross Road) Ariyalur Bye pass in NH 226 Extn – Rs.29.89Cr
1.2. Road Safety Works
Road Safety is given utmost priority by MoRTH, GoI and Black spots are identified based on the accident data occurring in 3 years.
748 locations are identified as black spots in Tamil Nadu based on the accidents occurred between 2015 to 2018. Of this, 199 no. of black spots are in the National Highway entrusted to State NH Wing.
Short term measures like providing, pedestrian facilities like Zebra, Crossing, Crash Barriers / railings, Solar Light, Road signs, Traffic calming measures, repairing / maintenance of unsafe road / appurtenance including filling of berms / shoulder on NHs have been completed in all the above Black spots.
Long term rectifications measures like widening / strengthening, shifting/ removal of obstacle, improvement of horizontal / vertical curve, junctions, providing service lane, footpath, new grade separators/ rehabilitation / widening of bridges etc., are taken up by the NH wing in phased manner with funds from MoRTH.
Out of the 199 Black Spots, permanent rectification measures in 108 Black Spots have been completed and 55 Nos of Black Spots are in progress. 12 Nos of Black Spots rectification works in tender stage. 4 Black spot are under feasibility study/DPR. 18 Nos of Black Spots are transferred to NHAI and 2 Nos of Black Spots are executed by Construction and Maintenance wing.
1.3 Non Plan Works
Non-Plan works include periodical renewal and improvements to the riding quality of road surface.
A sanction ceiling of Rs.50.00Cr allocated by MoRTH for the Periodical Renewal 2022-23.
1.4. Flood Damage Restoration works (FDR)
The temporary rectification works such as removal of earth slips, wind fallen trees and permanent repair works for damages caused due to rainfalls / floods are done at due course of time to ensure traffic worthiness.
2. Centrally Sponsored Schemes
2.1 Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)
The Central Government created Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) as a non-lapsable fund under Central Road Fund Act, 2000, which is procured out of the cess/tax imposed on the consumption of Petrol and High Power Diesel. Funds are distributed to the State for developments of Roads based on terrain and consumption.
The works taken up under CRIF scheme includes widening, strengthening of roads and rehabilitation / construction / reconstruction of bridges & culverts of State Highways, Major District roads, Other District roads with the funds provided by GoI from Central Road Fund.
During the financial year 2022-23 Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has approved 47 works (23 Road works and 24 HLBs) at a cost of Rs.582.30Cr under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund Scheme for the State of Tamil Nadu and works will be taken up for execution.
2.2 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
PMGSY has been launched by the GOI for upgrading Rural roads providing connectivity to unconnected habitations as part of poverty reduction strategy. The GoI provides funds for upgrading “Other District Roads” under this scheme.
In the year 2021-22, under PMGSY – III (Batch-I), 4 road works sanctioned MoRD, New Delhi for a length of 31.98 Kms at a total cost of Rs.34.16 Crore and the works are in tender stage.
3. Improvement of NHAI Roads by the State NH wing as Deposit works
3.1 Widening of NH-45 to 8 Lane between Vandalur to Chettipunniyam Mahindra City
In order to address the huge traffic congestion in Chennai sub-urban areas, the work for widening between Irumbuliyur to Vandalur (2.30Km) to 8-Lane standards, at a cost of Rs.20.77 Cr has been sanctioned by the NHAI as deposit work and the work has been completed.
In continuation of the above work, the stretch from Vandular-Guduvanchery (5.30Km) was also taken up for eight laning at a cost of Rs.44.48 Cr and the work has been completed.
In the year 2020-21, the stretch from Guduvanchery-Chettipunniyam (13.30Km) was also taken up for eight laning at a cost of Rs.230.69 Cr and the work is in progress.
3.2 Widening of NH-4 to 6 Lane between Madhuravoyal By-pass to Sriperumbudur Toll Gate
In order to reduce this traffic congestion and enhance the safety of road commuters, the work of widening of NH-4 from 4 Lane to 6 Lane from Madhuravoyal to Sriperumbudur Toll Gate (23.20Km) at a cost of Rs.428.95 Crore is approved by NHAI as deposit work and the works are in progress.
3.3 Widening of NH 544 H Thoppur – Mettur – Bhavani – Erode Road to 2 Lane with Paved Shoulders
In order to reduce this traffic congestion and enhance the safety of road commuters, the work of Widening of NH 544 H Thoppur – Mettur – Bhavani – Erode Road to 2 Lane with Paved Shoulders (85.00Km) at a cost of Rs.183.47 Crore is approved by NHAI as deposit work and the works are in progress.
NEW SCHEMES
SETU BANDHAN:
MoRTH has newly announced funding for construction of ROB/RUB to eliminate the Level Crossings in State roads as part of Road safety as additional funds under CRIF. MoU between MoRTH, MoR and GoTN is under process. Construction of 22 ROBs in State Roads at a total cost of Rs. 1719.50 Cr. is proposed for the year 2022-23 as Phase-I and Construction of 10 ROBs in State Roads at a total cost of Rs. 685.50 Cr. is proposed as Phase-II.
PARVATMALA PARIYOJANA:
Development of ropeway system to improve connectivity to religious places, tourist spots, inaccessible areas and congested urban centers is envisaged under the National Ropeway Development Program (NRDP) - PARVATMALA PARIYOJANA of MoRTH. National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a fully owned SPV of NHAI has been mandated as nodal agency by MoRTH for this program.
⮚ 22 locations in Tamil Nadu has been identified to improve connectivity under PARVATMALA PARIYOJANA
⮚ Out of this, the DPR for the Palani to Kodaikkanal had been taken up by NHLML (National Highways Logistics Management Limited). The DPR consultant has been engaged and DPR is in progress.
⮚ DPR / Feasibility study to be conducted by NHLML upon submission and acceptance of the proposal from Ministry.
4. e-Governance
MoRT&H have implemented the following portals for effective functioning and monitoring of Projects
• BHOOMI RASHI portal for LA process of all National Highway projects
This portal is being utilized for uploading details of LA villages, e-verification by Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) and for notification by the Ministry.
• Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) e-disha
A real time project tracking and monitoring system for the effective monitoring of all ongoing projects, key issues and interventions required at all levels.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways conduct monthly/ quarterly reviews of active projects across different stages of execution, viz., i) To be awarded ii) Under implementation & iii) Detailed Project Report stage based on PMIS report.
• MoRTH has also launched Blackspot MIS Portal for monitoring Blackspot rectification works.
Completed Works - CRIF | ||
Flyover at Km 203/2 of NH 44 - Kandampatty Junction |
Flyover at Km 32/4 of Thiruchengodu – Ariyanoor Road (NH 47 Junction at Km 8/6) |
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Vaigai South River Bank Road from Theppakulam – Viraganoor in Km 0/0 – 2/2 |
Flyover at km 350/560-351/560 of NH 67 – Goundampalayam Junction |
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Flyover at Ramanathapuram – Sungam (NH 67) |
Completed Works – Annual Plan | ||
Widening to Four Lane in NH 179A (Salem – Thirupathur – Vaniyambadi Road) |
Flyover at Km 138/2 of NH 234 - Deepam Nagar (Mangalore Villupuram Road) |
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Flyover at Marthandam (NH 47) |
Flyover at Parvathipuram (NH 47) |
Completed Black Spot works in NHs | ||
Pillur Junction at km 39/0 - 40/400 of NH 230 Madurai Division, Madurai Circle |
Nattarasankottai Junction at km 54/400 - 55/050 of NH 230 Madurai Division, Madurai Circle |
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Kantanipatti at km 56/750 - 57/400 of NH 230 Madurai Division, Madurai Circle |
EB Stop at km 63/025 - 63/875 of NH 230 Madurai Division, Madurai Circle |
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Padamathur Vilakku at km 33/950 - 34/615 of NH 230 Madurai Division, Madurai Circle |
Mathampalayam at Km 369/890- 371/960 of NH 67 Coimbatore Division, Salem Circle |
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Kattalaikudiyiruppu BVT Mill at Km 91/0-91/8 of NH 208 Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli Circle |
Ullar Junction at Km 141/60-143/2 of NH 208 Tirunelveli Division, Tirunelveli Circle |