Tamil Nadu to release Rs 22 bn for urban road repairs

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin ordered the release of Rs 22 billion as a special fund for the development of roads in all urban local bodies in the state, which would take the total allocation to Rs 95.88 billion for improving 20,990 km of roads in various corporations, municipalities and town panchayats. The move seeks to address the major criticism faced by the government over roads turning potholed following the rains and also damage caused by the laying of storm water drains and underground drainage systems. As the first step in the implementation of the scheme to lay quality roads in all urban areas, work would start in 2023 by spending Rs 51.40 billion to repair and develop 12,061 km of roads, a press release said. It added that Rs 11.71 billion of this would be spent for 1,680 km of roads in Chennai, Rs 25.35 billion for 7,116 km in other corporations and municipalities, and Rs 14.34 billion for 3,265 km in town panchayats. The Chief Minister had announced in October 2020 that roads, running to thousands of kilometres, in urban areas damaged by the laying of underground sewage systems and water pipelines would be repaired and renovated. While the development of 20,990 km of road would be taken up in 2023, the rest of the urban roads would be developed in the next two years, the release said. See also: Rs 22 billion released for developing urban roadsBMC invites Rs 60.79 billion road concreting tenders