Last Update: May 09, 2023, 12:09 PM IST
Currently, the state-owned Poompuhar Shipping Corporation takes passengers from the Kanyakumari coast to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial. An official said that from now on they would also be taken near the Thiruvalluvar statue. (Photo: shutterstock)
The main activity under this project is to develop roads connecting industrial areas in the influence zone of the Chennai Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor.
The Tamil Nadu government plans to upgrade its highway roads in the current financial year to reduce travel time and vehicle operating cost, said a senior official of the state highways department.
The department plans to use improved contracting approaches such as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), public-private partnership (PPP) and output and performance-based road contracting (OPRC) to upgrade the roads.
“Improving road safety at the state and district levels calls for a multi-sectoral intervention to reduce road accident deaths. It is being headed by a project director, supported by a chief engineer, with land acquisition units headed by superintending engineers, divisional engineers and special district revenue officers,” the official said.
Among various highway projects, the department is most interested in the Chennai Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor project. “The main activity under this project is to develop roads connecting industrial areas in the catchment area of the Chennai Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor. Presently, 589 kms out of 16 state highways are being upgraded with Asian Development Bank loan assistance,” the officer said.
The Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (TNRIDC) is a non-profit company that receives external assistance to implement projects funded by the state government or as a managing partner. “The corporation has taken up several projects across the state. Some of them are: Construction of Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Project – Section II, III and IV; Madurai Ring Road; Construction of Road Over Bridge near Singaperumalkoil; construction of the Oragadam Industrial Corridor project, including the construction of a grade separator at Padappai Junction,” the official said.
The Highways Department also handles minor ports. “The department is planning to provide port facilities to promote export-oriented industries and port-based industries. It also plans to meet the growing traffic needs in the southern states by providing efficient facilities and services to support domestic and international trade.
The state-owned Poompuhar Shipping Corporation will be used to transport coal to various thermal plants along the east coast of India. At present, the corporation is taking passengers from Kanyakumari beach to Vivekananda Rock Memorial. From now on they will also be taken near the Thiruvalluvar statue, the official said.
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