TNRIDC launches state highway upgrade work at massive scale

The Tamil Nadu Road Infrastructure Development Corporation (TNRIDC) has commenced state highway upgrade work aimed at reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs. The state highway department plans to use better contracting approaches such as engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), public-private partnership (PPP), and output and performance-based road contracts (OPRC) for the project. The project is being spearheaded by a project director, supported by a chief engineer, with superintending engineers, divisional engineers, and land acquisition units with special district revenue officers.

The Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor Project, which connects industrial areas in the influence zone of the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor, is one of the primary focuses among various highway projects. At present, 589 km of 16 state highways are being upgraded with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. Additionally, the corporation has undertaken several projects across the state, including the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Project - Sections II, III & IV, the Madurai Ring Road, the construction of a road overbridge near Singaperumalkoil, and the construction of the Oragadam Industrial Corridor Project, including the construction of a grade separator at Padappai junction.

The highways department is also responsible for minor ports to provide allied facilities to promote export-oriented and port-based industries. The department plans to provide efficient facilities and services to support domestic and international trade and cater to the needs of increasing traffic in the southern states. To transport coal to various thermal plants along the East Coast of India, the state-owned Poompuhar Shipping Corporation will be used.