G.O. (Ms.) No. 205, Thoothukudi Road Widening Administrative Sanction, 2012

What the government approved

Government Order (Ms.) Number 205, dated 17 December 2012, issued by the Highways and Minor Ports (HQ1) Department, approves funding for two road projects within Thoothukudi District. The approval followed proposals from the Chief Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Highways Department, recommendations from the Thoothukudi District Collector and decisions of the State Infrastructure and Amenities Promotion Committee.

The government sanctioned:

• Rs.11.60 crores for widening the double lane Madurai to Thoothukudi Road to a multi lane road and rebuilding the section from km 126/4 to km 132/0. The road is classified as State Highways 32.
• Rs.3.80 crores for widening the existing multi lane Thoothukudi to Quilon Road from km 2/0 to km 6/4, with a paved shoulder, centre median and platform.
• A total project allocation of Rs.15.40 crores from the State Infrastructure and Amenities Funds.

Why the works were proposed

The Commissioner of Town and Country Planning described Thoothukudi as a fast growing, highly industrialised city with a major port. The roads carry city buses, mini buses, mofussil buses, goods vehicles, two wheelers and four wheelers.

The stated reasons for the projects include:

• Increasing vehicle numbers and frequent traffic congestion.
• Severe inconvenience to the public.
• Frequent accidents linked to the traffic conditions.
• Connections from Thoothukudi to National Highway 38, National Highway 7A, Kovilpatti, Madurai, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli and Trivandrum.
• Access to the old port, government offices, the old bus stand and educational institutions within the corporation limits.

Who may be affected

Government Order (Ms.) Number 205 directly concerns the Highways Department and other government authorities responsible for funding and carrying out the approved works. Road users and people using institutions and offices along these routes may also be affected by the widening and rebuilding activity.

The document does not identify private properties, survey numbers or land acquisition requirements. It also does not set out compensation or procedures for acquiring land. A property buyer or owner would therefore need separate records to determine whether a particular parcel is required for either road project.

Funding and implementation

The Chief Engineer (Construction and Maintenance), Highways Department, was authorised to incur the sanctioned expenditure pending provision in the Revised Estimates or Final Modified Appropriation for 2012 to 2013. The expenditure was also required to be included in the relevant budget and supplementary estimates.