The World Bank (WB) is likely to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,912 crore and the state Government will provide Rs 530 crore for road projects in Tamil Nadu.
These road projects are likely to cost Rs 2,442 crore with completion slated for March 2010.
Under these projects, the 378 km northern corridor from Arcot to Thiruvarur has been taken up in a single package at a cost of Rs 768.5 crore which will be ready by March 2010. The 334 km eastern corridor from Nagapattinam to Thoothukkudi has been taken up under three packages. Under Package I, 116 km has been completed and opened to traffic. The other two packages are scheduled to be completed by March 2010. The 120 km road stretch from Thoothukkudi to Kanyakumari will also be developed at an investment of Rs 109 crore. Construction work is likely to begin on this road project after the completion of DPR.
Under maintenance of roads, work on 1,012 km roads has been taken up at a total cost of Rs 420 crore. Of this, work on 848 km had already been completed and the remaining works were expected to be completed during 2009.
Currently, a 'strategic option study' for all roads in Tamil Nadu is in progress on technological and economic feasibility basis to get loan assistance from WB and other international funding agencies. Consultants are likely to be engaged to carry out feasibility studies as per WB guidelines to be eligible for loan assistance.
Source : ProjectsToday
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