For the second phase of Tamil Nadu Road Sector Project, the State government has obtained approval of the World Bank and the Central government, said Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, while presenting the State budget for 2013-14 in Chennai on March 21. Under this project, a total of 1,678 km of roads will be strengthened and widened.

This is the biggest externally-aided project implemented by the State, the cost for the same being Rs 8,580 crore. The project will improve and develop road links having very high intensity traffic, he explained. According to sources, though the project was announced in the last budget, the feasibility report was done in August last year, concurrence from Centre being obtained in October, and the in-principle nod from World Bank only in December.

The TNRSP has recently floated tenders in five packages for 28 roads which have very high density of traffic, for expression of interest from eligible consultants for preparation of detailed project reports. The roads are to be developed under engineering-procurement and construction and public-private-partnership contract modes.

At least six roads around Chennai city, including a portion of the Arcot Road (Kodambakkam- Sriperumbudur Road ?SH 113, Madhavaram ? Red Hills Road (SH 111), Kancheepuram ? Vandavasi Road (SH 116), Pallikonda ? Palamaneri Road (SH 127), Sadras-Chengalpet- Kancheepuram-Arakonam- Thiruttani Road (SH 58), and Chennai-Pulicat Road (SH 104) are to be developed under this project.