G.O. (Ms) No.96, Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme 2016-17

Purpose and scope

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (SGS.II) Department issued Government Order (Ms) Number 96 on 29 August 2016. It authorises the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme for 2016-17 with an overall allocation of Rs. 800 crore and sets the basis for distributing and using the funds.

The programme continues rural road improvement after earlier schemes such as RIS, RRMS and BPRIS were discontinued. Its objective is to improve access to remote and far-flung areas through all-weather roads. The stated policy is that every village with a population of more than 500 should have a black-topped road, while other habitations should have an all-weather road.

Who it affects

The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme applies to Village Panchayat and Panchayat Union roads. It directly concerns rural local bodies, District Collectors, the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, road users and communities dependent on rural access.

The government order does not state that it acquires private land, changes ownership, alters property boundaries or modifies land records. Property buyers and owners may still find it relevant where a nearby rural road is selected for improvement.

Key provisions

The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme permits work through three streams:

• Upgrading roads that are not black-topped to black-topped standards.
• Strengthening existing damaged black-topped roads.
• Maintaining damaged black-topped roads that require renewal.

At least 25 per cent of each district's allocation must be earmarked for each stream. At least 25 per cent of the district allocation must cumulatively support bus-plying roads across the three streams.

Other provisions include:

• Half of district funding is allocated according to population and half according to the length of the district road network.
• The Nilgiris District receives an additional 20 per cent over its apportioned amount, funded from overall scheme savings or interest.
• The Rs. 800 crore is drawn from State Finance Commission grant shares in the ratio 60:32:8 for Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions and District Panchayats.
• Roads shorter than one kilometre may be permitted on the specific recommendation of the District Collector.
• Every district must propose at least one road using an alternative technology approved by the Indian Roads Congress.

Road selection priorities

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department gives first priority to roads connecting unconnected habitations, regardless of population. Bus and minibus routes come next, followed by links to markets, educational services, health services and roads with strong utility value.