EIACP PC-HuB : Tamil Nadu
State of Environment and Related Issues

 

Introduction:

           

Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function. It can be generally defined as the set of interconnected structural elements that provide the frame work supporting an entire structure of development. It is an important term for judging a country or region's development.

 

The term typically refers to the technical structures that support a society, such as roads, bridges, water supply, sewers, electrical grids, telecommunications, and so forth, and can be defined as "the physical components of interrelated systems providing commodities and services essential to enable, sustain, or enhance societal living conditions." 

 

Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board has been implementing various tenements/housing and other development programs to provide housing, infrastructure and other services to urban slum families adopting the following strategies with the vision of a slum free Tamil Nadu:

 

i)             Storeyed tenements are constructed in-situ on unobjectionable lands utilizing the maximum possible Floor Space Index (FSI) and allotted to the families already living there.

 

ii)            For resettlement of the families living in slums on objectionable lands like river banks, road margins, etc., tenements are constructed on the available vacant lands nearby as integrated townships with the necessary basic and social infrastructure.

 

iii)           Urban slum families living in kutchha houses with thatched / tiled roofs without a toilet, are given grants to enable them to construct permanent houses with RCC roof.

 

iv)             Tenements constructed previously by TNUHDB and which are now in a dilapidated condition are demolished and taken up for reconstruction and allotted to the same occupants.

 

v)                  To ensure longevity and structural stability of tenements, maintenance activities like periodical white   washing, colour washing, repair & renewal works are undertaken regularly.

 

vi)               In order to promote employability, skill development training is imparted.

 

 

 

The Sustainable Development Goal No.11 adopted by United Nations set the target that “by 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums” and TNUHDB has adopted this target.

 

 

 

The public transport system in the State is supported by 30,881 stage carriage buses, including 28,024 buses and 2,857 mini buses. Among the stage carriages, the Government-owned 8 State Transport Undertakings operate a fleet of 20,260 buses, transporting approximately 1.76 Crore people daily.

 

Tamil Nadu, one of the most urbanized States in India, had a population of 48.4% residing in cities in 2011. Projections estimate that by 2031, about 67% of the population will live in cities/towns. As of May 1, 2024, there are 3.59 crore registered vehicles in the State, including 0.14 crore transport vehicles and 3.45 crore non-transport vehicles. Transport vehicles constitute 3.91% of the total vehicles, while non transport vehicles make up 96.09%. Two-wheelers account for 3.02 crore vehicles, which is 84.09% of the total vehicles in Tamil Nadu. 95.94% of the total vehicles are passenger vehicles, with 10.95% being 4 wheelers, 0.9% being 3 wheelers and 84.09% being two wheelers.

 

 

The prevention and protection of road accidents is the primary objective of road safety. This is achieved through the implementation of various road safety measures by vehicle manufacturers, the Highways Department and road users. The ultimate aim is to ensure the safety of individuals while they are traveling on roads. In line with this, the Tamil Nadu Government is taking proactive steps to introduce a range of road safety initiatives. These initiatives are being carried out in collaboration with other key departments such as the Police, Highways, Transport, Health and Education. The collective effort is aimed at realizing the vision of an "Accident-Free Tamil Nadu."

 

 

       Road stretches which have a heavy traffic intensity of more than 30,000 Passenger Car Units (PCUs) connecting different state capitals, major ports, large industrial areas and tourist centers are designated / declared as National Highway by Government of India.

 

In Tamil Nadu, “National Highways Wing’’ of Highways & the Minor Ports Department was established in the year 1971 to look after the works of improving, maintaining and renewing of National Highways laid down by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).  

 

   

            Widening, improvements, strengthening and maintenance works are being carried out in the State National Highways roads, using funds from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. 

The Transport Department acts as Nodal department for acquiring lands for various projects of Southern Railways in Tamil Nadu, such as the establishment of new railway lines, doubling of existing railway lines and gauge conversion are as follows:

 

This railway track from Maniyachi to Nagercoil, covering Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. The Government has accorded administrative sanction for the acquisition of 68.39.23 hectares

 

This Broad-Gauge Railway line, connects Tindivanam to Nagari and spans approximately 184.45 km. The project encompasses Tiruvannamalai, Ranipet, Tiruvallur and Villupuram Districts. The Government has accorded administrative sanction for the acquisition of 562.71 hectares.

The new Broad Gauge Railway line linking Chinnasalem to Kallakurichi, spanning approximately 16 km. The Government have accorded Administrative Sanction for acquisition of 44.91 Hectare.

 

             The main artery line connecting northern and southern part of Tamil Nadu with a significant flow of both passenger and goods traffic. The Government have accorded Administrative Sanction for acquisition of 141.00.97 Hectare.

This project encompasses Madurai, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi Districts. The Government has granted Administrative Sanction for acquiring 95.70.17 Hectares.

 

6 Kanniyakumari – Thiruvananthapuram Doubling of Broad Gauge Railway Line:

This project is divided into three units: Kanniyakumari - Nagercoil, Nagercoil – Eraniel and Eraniel - Parasalai. The Government has accorded administrative sanction for the acquisition of 46.59.14 hectares of Patta and 3.96.89 hectares of Poramboke lands in Kanniyakumari district for these three units as part of the Doubling of Railway line project between Kanniyakumari –Thiruvananthapuram.

 

 Madurai – Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai New Broad Gauge Railway Line

 

 Phase-1: Milavittan –   Melamaruthur:

 

This project encompasses Madurai, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi Districts, spanning approximately 143.5 km. As a part of this initiative, the Milavittan – Melamaruthur section connects Madurai to Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai, covering a distance around 18 km. The Government has granted Administrative Sanction for the acquisition of 14.99 Hectare.

 

This initiative spans across Madurai, Virudhunagar and Thoothukudi Districts, covering a distance of approximately 143.5 km. Administrative Sanction has been accorded by the Government for the acquisition of 702.29.77 Hectare.

 

 

The 3rd and 4th lines alignment cuts across Chennai and Tiruvallur districts, enhancing the passenger capacity of the suburban rail between Chennai Beach and Gummidipoondi. The Government has accorded administrative sanction for the acquisition of 506 Sq.mt. of land and the acquisition process is currently underway.

 

 

The Government have accorded Administrative Sanction for 6464 Sq.mt. in Chennai District. The work for land acquisition is currently in progress.

 

  

Chennai Metro Rail Limited: 

Chennai Metropolis has been growing rapidly and the traffic volumes on the roads have also been increasing enormously. Hence the need for a new rail based rapid transport system has been felt and towards this objective the Government of Tamil Nadu has decided to implement the Chennai Metro Rail Project.

 

 Hence, Chennai Metro Rail Limited, was formed which was initially a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), then transformed into a Joint Venture of Government of India and Government of Tamil Nadu with equal equity holding.

 

The Project envisages the creation of 2 initial corridors under the proposed Phase-1, running from Washermen pet to Airport (23.1 kms) and Chennai Central to St.Thomas Mount (45.1 kms). 

 

Sea Port: 

 

Tamil Nadu has the second longest coastline (1076 KMs) with 3 major ports and 17 non-major ports. The non-major ports in Tamil Nadu were administered and controlled by the Tamil Nadu Port Department.

 

Keeping in line with the maritime history and in realising the need for growth in the maritime sector, the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Port Department was converted into Tamil Nadu Maritime Board under the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board Act, 1995 (Tamil Nadu Act 4/96) with effect from 18.03.1997. The Minister for Highways and Minor Ports, Government of Tamil Nadu is the ex-officio Chairman of the Board.   

Airports: 

 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) currently manages 125 airports throughout the country including 11 international airports, 77 domestic airports, 9 airports for customs officials and 28 civilian enclaves inside military airfields. Mumbai and New Delhi are, however, the most important airports, accounting for 49 percent of all passengers and almost 65 percent of international passengers.

 

The two airports also bring in 33 percent of AAI revenue.    The airport is the first among the Tamil Nadu Airports and also among the airports in India. The amount of cargo and air traffic that the airport handles has made it an integral part of Tamil Nadu Travel. The airport was also the final destination of Air India's first flight from Bombay via Belgaum in 1954.

 

The first passenger terminal of the airport was built at the northeast side of the airfield, which lies in the suburb of Meenambakkam due to which it is also referred as the Chennai Meenambakkam Airport. The airport has a new terminal complex located to the south of Pallavaram while the old terminal is used as a cargo terminal for the courier companies. 

 

 

 

Trichy Airport (TRZ): 

 

Trichy Airport is a small airport located about 7km from the city and operates flights to major cities in India and to neighboring countries like Srilanka and Singapore.

 

 

Coimbatore Airport (CJB) - Peelamedu : 

 

Coimbatore airport is situated at Peelamedu, about 8 km from the city and has flights to all major destinations in India. 

 

Madurai Airport (IXM) : Madurai Airport is about 13 kilometers from Madurai Railway station and has connection flights to Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. 

 

Salem Airport (SXV) : The airport is situated exactly at 20 minutes drive from the city center.  

 

Tuticorin Airport: Tuticorin Airport located 10 km from Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and India. 

 

 

Telecommunications: 

 

     Tamil Nadu Telecommunications Limited (TTL) was set up in 1988, a three way joint venture of Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Communications, which renders Consultancy Services and undertake Turnkey Projects in all Fields of Telecommunications in India and abroad, Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO), a Govt. of Tamilnadu Enterprise, which is responsible for development of industry in the State of Tamilnadu, India and Fujikura Limited of Japan, a leading manufacturer of Optical Fiber Products in the world.  

 

In 1998 TTL embarked upon diversification of its products range with the manufacture of the state-of-art optical fiber cables, in technical collaboration with M/s. Fujikura Limited of Japan. TTL’s OFC Plant is located in CMDA Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar about 40 Kms. from Chennai. This sophisticated cable plant is set up with the complete range of machinery line imported from M/s. Nextrom Technologies (Nokia) of Finland. 

Vehicle Population: 

 

Tamil Nadu ranks third in terms of vehicle population in the country following Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. As on 31.05.2024, there are 3,60,76,953 vehicles in the State. Out of which 14,07,909 vehicles are transport vehicles and 3,46,69,044 vehicles are non-transport vehicles. The transport and non-transport vehicles constitute 3.90% and 96.10% of the total vehicles in Tamil Nadu respectively. The total number of two wheelers in Tamil Nadu is 3,03,32,289 which is 84.08% of the total vehicles in the State.

 

Each motor vehicle is assigned with a permanent Registration Number. The Rule 50 & 51 of Central Motor Vehicles Rule, 1989 includes provisions for the following: The number plate registration letter and number on two-wheelers and LMV Cars (Non Transport Vehicles) should be in black on a white background, while the registration letter and number on transport vehicles should be in black on a yellow background to have more visibility. For Electric Vehicles (Battery Operated Vehicles) the same will be in yellow colour on green background for transport vehicles and in white 19 colour on green background for all other Electric Vehicles.

 

  

VEHICULAR POSITION IN TAMIL NADU AS ON 31.05.2024
TRANSPORT		NON-TRANSPORT
Stage Carriages		Motorcycles	20801806
PUBLIC (Stu)	20260	Scooter	3807108
PRIVATE	7764	Mopeds	5723375
TOTAL	28024	TWO WHEELERS	30332289
Mini bus	2857	Motor Car	3632250
		Jeep	46232
Contract Carriages
Autorickshaw	324943	Tractor	460116
Ordinary Taxi	2630	Three Wheeler	68206
Motor Cab (SP)	106794	Road Roller	2545
Motor Cab (AIP)	10596	Others	127406
Maxi Cab (SP)	83406
Maxi Cab (AIP)	4531
Omni Bus (SP)	1662
Omni Bus (AIP)	164
TOTAL	534726
Private Service Vehicles	15605	Total Non Transport		34669044
Educational Institutional Buses (School Bus + College Bus)	37603
Ambulance	14465
Fire Fighter	1799
TOTAL	69472
Goods Carriages
Lorries	336149
National Permit LORRIES	131510	Transport	1407909
Tractor & Trailor	78395
Light Commercial Vehicles	192938	Non-Transport	34669044
Articulated Vehicles	33838	STATE TOTAL	36076953
TOTAL	772830
Transport Total	1407909