The Hindu 29.11.2009
Roads to be upgraded to global standards
S. Sundar
| There will be no need for relaying for five years |
Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project to execute the work
Stormwater drainage, cable ducts for telecom and other services to be provided
MADURAI: Around 700 km of arterial and interior roads in the city will be upgraded to international standard so much so that they would be worthy of being maintained in motorable condition, without any need for re-laying, for five years.
The project will be executed by the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Project (TURIP) for which a private consultant has begun a survey of the roads.
Corporation Chief Engineer, K. Sakthivel, said the survey would cover testing of soil, design for roads in every part of the city.
“Since we have completed almost 90 per cent of the underground drainage works, the city has been chosen as a beneficiary under the Rs.1,000-crore scheme covering 12 urban local bodies,” he said.
A detailed project report was expected in six to nine months after which the work for laying roads would be taken up.
The work would be implemented by TURIP with a 50 per cent grant from the State Government. The remaining 50 per cent would be given to the local bodies as soft loan from Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUISFL).
The work envisages provision of storm water drainage, cable duct for telecom and other services so that the roads are not dug up. Road design in different parts of the city would be based on the nature and volume of traffic. “Streets of less than 10 to 12 feet width would have concrete roads,” Mr. Sakthivel said.
The underground drainage work for 72 km in uncovered areas would be expedited for early completion, the Chief Engineer said. Representatives of all related departments, like Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and telecom companies, have been asked to carry out their underground cable laying work meant for their expansion for the next five years before the road laying work begins. “Once the roads are laid no road cutting would be allowed. We have requested the State Government to bear the expenses of replacing the worn out drinking water pipelines, laid in 1980s, along with this project to prevent road cutting,” Mr. Sakthivel said.
