Status of works on State highways reviewed

K Allaudin, Secretary, Highways Department, State Government, evaluated the status of ongoing development works on the State highways passing through the district at a meeting of senior officials of the department here on Saturday. The Collector, R. Palaniyandi, was also present in the meeting.

Briefing Mr. Allaudin, V Yesu Dhas, Divisional Engineer, Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, explained the progress regarding the upgradation works under way on the 117.9 km Tuticorin-Rameswaram highway on an outlay of Rs.132.91 crore, which was expected to be completed before the end of 2008.

Of the total 117.9 km, the upgradation of Ramanathapuram-Edampadal sector, totalling 29.1 km, would be completed before June 15, 2007, whereas the works on Sayalkudi-Kulathur sector (38.2 km) would be completed before February 15, 2008.

According to the schedule, upgradation of Kulathur-Tuticorin sector (21.5 km) would be over before April 15,2008.

The works on Edampadal-Sayalkudi (29.1 km), which would be the last sector expected to be completed before December 15, 2008.

As part of the upgradation, 124 small bridges/culverts situated between Tuticorin and Rameswaram would be reconstructed. Of them, 82 would be located in Ramanathapuram district and the remaining in Tuticorin district.

Mr. Dhas updated Mr. Allaudin on the pre-construction activities on the sector such as shifting of electricity poles and water distribution lines, land acquisition and resettlement of houses, which were currently in progress.

Mr. Allaudin checked whether environmental and social issues along the upgradation region were addressed as per the Environmental and Resettlement Management Plan prepared by the Highways Department.

He also studied the progress of other highway development works, including the widening of Tuticorin-Tiruchendur State highway and the construction of new bridges at three different places on an outlay of Rs.11.78 crore.

Of the total project cost (Rs.11.78 crores) envisaged for the construction of new bridges, 95 per cent was procured as loans from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund set up by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Later, Mr. Allaudin attended a board meeting of Tuticorin Port Trust.

Source: The Hindu