TN to spend Rs 7,300 cr to upgrade 16,400 km of roads

CHENNAI: In a welcome relief for the public, Chief Minister MK Stalin announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 km of roads in the State would be upgraded at the earliest utilising funds from various schemes and projects.

“Considering that good roads are essential for the public’s daily routine and safe transport, the government has decided to upgrade every damaged road. Under this the roads in Greater Chennai Corporation and other Corporations, Municipalities and town panchayats will be upgraded at the earliest,” announced the Chief Minister under Rule 110 of the Assembly.

As part of this, Rs 2,200 crore was allocated for upgrading 4,600 km of roads this year. Apart from that, 16,390 km of roads will be upgraded in a phased manner at an estimated cost of Rs 7,388 crore under projects such as Singara Chennai 2.0, State Finance Commission Subsidy Scheme Fund, Kalaignar Urban Development Scheme, NABARD fund, etc.,” he said.

In another announcement, he said 6,000 new classrooms would be constructed for panchayat union primary and middle schools at a cost of Rs 800 crore, and 1,200 classrooms for high and higher secondary schools at a cost of Rs 250 crore. In addition to the Rs 150 crore earmarked this year for maintaining schools, Rs 115 crore would be allocated for the purpose, he said.

“Constructing additional classrooms will strengthen the school infrastructure and create a safe learning environment for government school students,” said Stalin.

The Chief Minister added that the government would purchase 1,000 buses at a cost of Rs 500 crore. Steps were also being taken to procure 2,213 diesel buses and 500 electric buses with funding assistance from German Development Bank and 1,000 more buses would be bought with World Bank assistance. Stalin also asked the transport corporations to refurbish 500 buses that have good chassis.