G.O. (Ms.) No. 135, Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme 2021-22

What the government order does

G.O. (Ms.) No. 135 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, dated 26 November 2021, approves implementation of the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme 2021-22. The scheme covers Village Panchayat roads and Panchayat Union roads and is intended to improve the rural road network systematically.

The sanctioned amount of Rs.627.23 crore is to be met from the Capital Grant Fund. The Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj is authorised to release and distribute funds using the arrangements set out in the order.

Roads covered by the scheme

The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme 2021-22 has two streams:

• Stream I upgrades earthen, gravel and water bound macadam roads belonging to Village Panchayats and Panchayat Unions into black-topped roads.
• Stream II strengthens existing damaged black-topped roads with a pavement condition index value of 2 that require one or more layers of base course and wearing course.
• Roads proposed for improvement must be selected from the online road register.
• Roads shorter than 1 kilometre may be permitted by the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj on the specific recommendation of the District Collector.

How roads are prioritised

The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme gives first priority to roads connecting unconnected habitations, regardless of population or road length. Other priorities include:

• Bus-plying and minibus-plying roads requiring upgrading or strengthening.
• Important links to habitations, markets, educational services and health services.
• Roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana that have completed 10 years of design life, subject to pavement condition and current traffic intensity.

For roads proposed within a district, at least 25 per cent should directly connect habitations, at least 25 per cent should directly link schools, markets, health centres or hospitals, and at least 25 per cent should be bus-plying roads.

Who may be affected

The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme may affect residents, road users and properties served by a selected Village Panchayat or Panchayat Union road. District Collectors, Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies and local blocks are involved in allocating and implementing the works. The document deals with road improvement funding and selection, and does not set out changes to property ownership, registration or land use.