Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Wednesday gave administrative sanction for road and bridge projects in different parts of the State at an investment of around Rs.258 crore.
The projects, including one in her Srirangam constituency, are expected to improve connectivity, reduce travel time and result in fuel savings.
In a statement, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the 85-year-old iron bridge on Chennai-Dindigul National Highway, linking Tiruchi and Srirangam, will be replaced by a four-lane bridge. As part of the Rs.81-crore project, upgradation work would also be undertaken on a small bridge across the Ayyan canal and junction. The project was necessitated as the iron bridge, built in 1927, was damaged and as a result closed for heavy vehicles.
The Chief Minister also gave administrative sanction for the Rs.18.25-crore project to make a 17-km stretch of road in Kodaikanal two-lane, besides constructing small bridges and retention walls.
The statement said Ms. Jayalalithaa accorded administrative clearance to replace the bridge across River Cauvery in Palakkarai, a move that would help reduce travel time to Kumbakonam town. The new facility would come up at a cost of Rs.5 crore.
She also sanctioned Rs.1.8 crore towards preparation of detailed project reports for the flyovers proposed at the junctions of Five Roads and Kurunguchavadi. These facilities were aimed at reducing traffic congestion.