G.O. (Ms) No.140, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.II) Department, dated 24.11.2016
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.II) Department, in G.O. (Ms) No.140 dated 24.11.2016, approved operational guidelines to implement the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Maintenance Policy and created an Empowered Committee to approve the annual maintenance plan and review district performance. The guidelines apply to Village Panchayat and Panchayat Union roads in Tamil Nadu and set out how rural road maintenance is to be planned, prioritised, funded, carried out and monitored.
What this government order does
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.II) Department, in G.O. (Ms) No.140 dated 24.11.2016, approves the operational guidelines for implementing the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Maintenance Policy. The same government order also approves an Empowered Committee chaired by the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, and authorises that committee to approve the Annual Maintenance Plan.
What it covers
The annexed operational guidelines say they cover maintenance of all Village Panchayats and Panchayat Union roads in Tamil Nadu. They are meant to be the basis for carrying out all kinds of maintenance activities on those rural roads.
The guidelines detail:
- types and details of maintenance activities
- prioritisation and frequency of maintenance activities
- creation of a Rural Road Management System
- selection and prioritisation of roads
- preparation of the annual maintenance plan
- allocation and release of funds
- maintenance norms and preparation of estimates
- mode of execution of works
- institutional arrangements at Block, District and State levels
- monitoring and quality control mechanism
Who is affected
This matters mainly to Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions, district administration and the agencies and officials responsible for maintaining rural roads. For residents, landowners and road users in rural Tamil Nadu, it explains how public rural roads are to be maintained so that access, safety and road condition are preserved.
Key points from the guidelines
The operational guidelines state that rural road connectivity supports access to economic and social services, and that maintenance is needed to protect the public investment in roads. They also say there were no clear guidelines or norms for routine maintenance before this policy framework and working guidelines were set out.
Key provisions include:
- maintenance should preserve roads, bridges and related structures as far as possible in their original or improved condition
- funds should be allocated based on scientific analysis, consistent with utility, age and existing condition, irrespective of location or geographical distribution
- maintenance management should improve through scientific methods, capacity building and innovation in equipment, materials and technology
- emphasis should always be on preventive and regular maintenance activities
The guidelines classify maintenance into:
- ordinary repairs or routine maintenance
- periodic maintenance
- special repairs and flood damage repairs
Routine maintenance is described as small scale, generally manual labour, and carried out at predetermined intervals through the year as a preventive measure. Periodic maintenance is described as renewal of road surface and major repairs of structures, planned in multi year cycles.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does this government order apply to private land or private roads?
No. The annexed guidelines cover maintenance of Village Panchayat and Panchayat Union roads in Tamil Nadu. The source text does not say that it applies to private land or private roads.
Who approves the annual maintenance plan for rural roads under this document?
The Empowered Committee chaired by the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is authorised to approve the Annual Maintenance Plan.
What kinds of rural road maintenance are recognised in the guidelines?
The guidelines classify maintenance as ordinary repairs or routine maintenance, periodic maintenance, and special repairs and flood damage repairs. They also distinguish between on carriageway works and off carriageway works.
Why was this framework issued for rural roads?
The guidelines say maintenance is needed to safeguard the rural road network and sustain the benefits of access. They also state that there were no clear guidelines or norms for carrying out routine maintenance of roads, so the Government laid out the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Maintenance Policy and these working guidelines.
