The Hindu 04.07.2013
Jayalalithaa sanctions road and bridge projects
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday gave
administrative sanction for road and bridge projects in different parts
of the State at an investment of around Rs.258 crore.
The
projects, including one in her Srirangam constituency, are expected to
improve connectivity, reduce travel time and result in fuel savings.
In
a statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the 85-year-old iron bridge on
Chennai-Dindigul National Highway, linking Tiruchi and Srirangam, will
be replaced by a four-lane bridge. As part of the Rs.81-crore project,
upgradation work would also be undertaken on a small bridge across the
Ayyan canal and junction. The project was necessitated as the iron
bridge, built in 1927, was damaged and as a result closed for heavy
vehicles.
The Chief Minister also gave administrative
sanction for the Rs.18.25-crore project to make a 17-km stretch of road
in Kodaikanal two-lane, besides constructing small bridges and
retention walls.
The statement said Ms. Jayalalithaa
accorded administrative clearance to replace the bridge across River
Cauvery in Palakkarai, a move that would help reduce travel time to
Kumbakonam town. The new facility would come up at a cost of Rs.5 crore.
The existing bridge on the Vikkaravandi -Kumbakonam-
Thanjavur Road, has been closed for traffic in view of its condition.
She
also sanctioned Rs.1.8 crore towards preparation of detailed project
reports for the flyovers proposed at the junctions of Five Roads and
Kurunguchavadi. These facilities were aimed at reducing the traffic
congestion in Salem city.
Ms. Jayalalithaa also
ordered improvement of the roads, damaged due to the movement of heavy
vehicles engaged in limestone and cement quarries, in Ariyalur and
Perambalur districts. While roads to the extent of 42 km would be
improved at a cost of Rs.86.45 crore in Ariyalur, in Perambalur the
improvement project would involve 36.80 km of roads entailing an
expenditure of Rs.65.92 crore.