CHENNAI: Over the next three years, the quality of roads in Tamil Nadu will be improved to provide better connectivity and ensure balanced economic development, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa told the House on Friday.In the discussion on the demand for grant to Highways Department, CPI member S Gunasekaran urged the Chief Minister to devote special attention to the improvement of roads as the present condition was deplorable. Intervening, Jayalalithaa said: “This chief minister is already seized of the issue. Please refer the budget document. We have several projects to improve the condition of roads.”Stating that 963 kilometres of State Highways would be converted into double lane and 3,700 kilometres of major district roads to intermediate lane at a cost of `2,400 crore, the Chief Minister said the work would be completed over the next three years.In view of the huge resource requirement to strengthen road infrastructure, the government would take up major road projects under the ‘Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT),’ model with private participation. “Under the TN Road Sector Project-Phase II, 2,500 kilometres of highways will be improved at a cost of `5,000 crore with World Bank financial aid,” she said.During 2011-12, `1,450 crore is being allotted under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CRIDP) which will be used for taking up road widening, improvement besides reconstructing bridges and culverts.Widening and upgradation of the remaining portion of the ECR measuring 113 kilometres will be taken up. Several other programmes too were aimed at developing roads, including the Outer Ring Road project for Chennai. “It is only 3 months since we assumed power. Wait and see how the roads are getting improved over the next three years,” she said.
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