Govt sanctions 20cr more to relay roads

Coimbatore: The state government has sanctioned ₹19.84 crore to relay 138 roads in the city corporation limits in the second phase of allocation under the Tamil Nadu Urban Road Infrastructure Fund (TURIF).
The city corporation is likely to start laying the roads, most of which fall in residential areas, from next month.
A corporation official said the commissioner of municipal administration had approved the road work last week based on their recent proposal. In each of the five zones, he said, anywhere between 20 and 35 roads would be relaid. In total, the official said, 28.92km stretch of roads would be relaid with the fund.
“The works are proposed under 11 separate packages and tenders are invited for the same. The bids will be opened in another 10 days, after which work orders will be given to the successful bidders,” he said.
In the first phase of fund allocation, 125 roads were taken up for relaying at a cost of ₹26 crore. The state government has agreed to provide ₹200 crore to restore the roads in the city before the end of the current financial year. “The government has allocated only around Rs46 crore so far,” the official said.
Another source with the city corporation said the government would issue 50% of the funds after issuing work orders to the successful bidder and another 40% based on the work progress. “The remaining 10% will be released only after sending proof of completion of work.”
Corporation commissioner M Prathap said the road work that was initiated in the first phase was progressing well. “We have taken up 40 roads for work so far. The remaining 85 roads will be taken up in the coming weeks. Some of the roads have already been relaid, bringing respite for the commuters.”