Jaya gives state roads a booster shot

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has accorded administrative sanction and made fund allocations towards a number of projects aimed at improving the road infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion in various parts of the State.

The projects include a new bridge to link Tiruchy with Srirangam, road widening works in Kodaikanal, repair and renovation of a bridge to improve access to Kumbakonam and an improvement of roads in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts. Jayalalithaa also ordered the allocation of Rs 1.08 crore towards the preparation of detailed project reports for two flyover projects at Salem’s busy Five Roads Junction and Kurangu Chavadi Junction.

The CM accorded administrative sanction to improve connectivity between Tiruchy and Srirangam, which had been hit because of the poor condition of a British-era bridge on the Chennai-Dindigul highway. Heavy vehicles have been barred from the bridge due to safety concerns, forcing them to take a roundabout route leading to traffic congestion in the surrounding areas. Jayalalithaa sanctioned the construction of a new four-lane bridge to replace the old one. This, together with the construction of a small bridge across Ayyan Vaikkal and development works at surrounding traffic intersections, are to be taken up at a cost of Rs 81 crore.

Jayalalithaa also gave administrative sanction for a Rs 18.25 crore project to widen 17 km of the road network in Kodaikanal. She also sanctioned Rs 5 crore towards repair and restoration of a bridge on the Vikravandi-Kumbakonam highway. The bridge had been shut owing to its poor state, and its reopening would reduce the travel time and distance to cover the stretch.

In addition, the CM sanctioned the upgradation of 78.8 km of roads at a cost of Rs 152.37 crore in Ariyalur and Perambalur districts, which were damaged due to the frequent movement of heavy vehicles travelling to the large number of limestone quarries and cement factories in the region.