In Tamil Nadu, more than 2,400 road works will be undertaken across the state at a cost of Rs 2,950 crore as part of the Integrated Road Development programme. The State Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on July 24 ordered the allocation for the works that would improve connectivity, besides reducing fuel consumption and travel time. The allocation for this fiscal was higher – Rs 2,262 crore was set aside last financial year.    

Road widening, upgradation, construction of bridges and provision of storm water drains would be undertaken across the State under the programme. The list of works include four-laning of a 22-km stretch of the Chennai-Tiruttani- Renigunta Highway at a cost of Rs 98 crore and construction of bypass roads in Thanjavur district for Rs.52 crore.    

The programme would also take up upgradation of 81.53 km of roads in urban areas left out by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Chennai, Tiruchi, Pudukkotai, Sivaganga, Tiruvannamalai, Tirupur and Tirunelveli. In Kancheepuram district, roads that link East Coast Road would be improved at a cost of Rs.11.24 crore. In Virdhunagar district, roads leading to fire cracker units would be widened for Rs 7.40 crore.