During 2015-16, the Government had introduced an omnibus scheme called the Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme (TNRRIS) for the comprehensive improvement of the rural roads with an overall allocation of Rs.800 crore. The objective of the scheme is to ensure optimal allocation of funds for Upgradation, Strengthening and Maintenance of Panchayat Union and Village Panchayat roads. The amount of Rs.800 crore may be met from State Finance Commission Grants devolution for rural local bodies.

Prioritisation of roads

• Roads connecting unconnected habitations, irrespective of the population, are given first priority.
• Next Priority is given for upgrading and strengthening of bus-plying and minibus-plying roads.
• Important link roads connecting market places, Educational/Health Services and roads which have good utility value are then selected.

Implementation of TNRRIS during 2015-16

Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme (TNRRIS) was implemented in two streams.

a)  Under Stream-I : Upgradation of the Non-BT roads to BT standards shall be taken.

b)  Under Stream-II: Strengthening and Maintenance of Existing damaged roads shall be taken up.

         From out of the total allocation to a district, 50% of the funds allocated shall be earmarked for Stream-I and the balance 50% for Stream-II. From out of the allocation under stream-II, atleast 50% shall be allocated for Bus-Plying roads and not less than 25% of the amount should be earmarked for roads requiring periodic renewal.

         During 2015-16, 2,386 road works for a length of 4,225 Km have been taken up at a cost of Rs.800 crore

Implementation of TNRRIS during 2016-17

During 2016-17, this scheme is implemented in three streams with an outlay of Rs.800 Crore.

a)  Under Stream-I : Upgradation of the Non-BT roads to BT standards .

b)  Under Stream-II: Strengthening of Existing damaged roads .

c)  Under Stream-III: Maintenance of Existing damaged BT roads which require renewal .

         From out of the total allocation to a district, atleast 25% of the funds allocated shall be earmarked for each of the above streams. Out of the total allocation to a district, atleast 25% of the funds shall be allocated to Bus-Plying roads cumulatively under all the three streams.

        During 2016-17, 2,561 road works for a length of 4,659 Km have been taken up at a cost of Rs.800 crore.