The Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru T.R. Baalu has approved a sum of Rs.635.10 lakh for road improvement works on NH-208 in the state of Tamil Nadu.   NH-208 is an important National Highway of interstate connectivity connecting Kerala and Tamil Nadu from Kollam to Thirumangalam.  This road also connects the important towns like Shencottah, Tenkasi, Rajapalayam to important tourist centers like Sabarimala, Courtallam and Madurai . 

The approval has been granted for the following works on NH-208 of the State:

·         An amount of Rs. 278.58 lakh has been approved for construction of High Level Bridge  at Km 123/4 at Sengilipatti Village (Periya Odai) in Thirunelveli district.  The existing bridge is narrow and also in dilapidated condition and therefore, it is necessary to reconstruct the bridge in replacement of the existing bridge.

·         An amount of Rs. 184.29 lakh has been approved for construction of retaining walls at km 113/6-.114/0, and km.127/4 & 133/8-134/2 at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in Tirunelveli district. These stretches run along huge tanks due to which the shoulders are completely eroded and therefore, need immediate repairs.

·         An amount of Rs 129.51 lakh has been approved for Improvement of Riding Quality in certain stretches of NH at Kadayanallur Municipal limit in Tirunelveli district.  The riding surface of the stretch is badly damaged due to recent rains and needs immediate repairs.

·         An amount of Rs. 21.60 lakh has been approved at km. 207/4 for construction of retaining wall along the approaches of minor bridge  at M. Suppulapuram in Madurai district.  An amount of Rs. 16.43 lakh has also been approved at km. 206/4 for construction of an other retaining wall along the road side tank at M.Supplapuram in Madurai.

In addition Thiru Baalu has approved a sum of Rs. 4.69 lakh for  consultancy services for feasibility study and preparation of the detailed project report for construction of bypass  to Seithur Town at km. 155/4-158/2 in Virudhunagar district.

It is hoped that the completion of above mentioned road improvement works in Madurai and Thirunelveli districts, would help ease the traffic situation in these areas.

VBA/PP/BS