**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways to Unstarred Question No. 1891 in Lok Sabha on December 11th, 2025, regarding the works on National Highways in Tamil Nadu. It details the number of under-construction structures, incomplete structures, public use of incomplete structures, and funds allocated/spent on projects in the last five years. No specific deadlines or action items are stated in this document.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Under-Construction Structures:**
* Approximately 844 structures (bridges, flyovers, underpasses, culverts) are under construction across 79 National Highway projects in Tamil Nadu.
* These structures are at various stages of construction.
* The year of commencement and completion status of each structure are maintained by NHAI/State PWD.
* These are regularly monitored at regional and headquarters levels.
* **Incomplete Structures:**
* 104 structures across 18 projects are incomplete for over one year.
* 80 structures across 13 projects are incomplete for over two years.
* 62 structures across under 5 projects are incomplete for over three years.
* **Public Use of Incomplete Structures:**
* No National Highway structure has been opened for public use prior to completion and safety audit compliance.
* **Funds Allocation:**
* Funds are allocated State-wise, not project-wise.
* Total funds allocated for NH projects in Tamil Nadu in the last five years: Rs. 36405.00 crore.
* Total expenditure made: Rs. 36396.00 crore.
* **Reasons for Delays and Cost Overruns:**
* Land acquisition issues
* Shifting of utilities
* Environmental and forest clearances
* Law and order problems
* Local protests
* Encroachments
* Poor contractor performance
* Shortage of construction materials
* Unforeseen site conditions
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)/State PWD**
* **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining and monitoring the construction status of the 844 structures.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring and reporting on the progress of the under-construction and incomplete structures, and address the reasons for delays and cost overruns.
**Stakeholder: Tamil Nadu Public**
* **Impact:** Affected by the progress of National Highway construction projects, potentially experiencing delays and inconvenience due to incomplete structures.
* **Action Required:** No direct action specified, but may benefit from awareness of project status and potential reasons for delays.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The primary implementing agency for National Highway projects, responsible for maintaining the details of construction and completion.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The ministry responsible for the oversight of National Highway projects, answering questions regarding their status.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the National Highway projects are located, making it central to the scope of the policy.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1891
ANSWERED ON 11th DECEMBER, 2025
WORKS ON NATIONAL HIGHWAYS IN TAMIL NADU
1891. SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of under-construction structures including
bridges, flyovers, underpasses, service lanes and culverts on
National Highways across Tamil Nadu as of date along with the
details of the year in which work commenced and the current stage
of completion in each case;
(b) the number of such structures that have remained incomplete for
over one year, two years and three years respectively;
(c) whether any of these incomplete structures have been opened
for public use prior to obtaining completion certification, if so, the
details thereof; and
(d) the total funds allocated, released and spent on these projects
during the last five years along with the reasons for cost overruns or
delays?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) As on date, about 844 structures such as bridges, flyovers,
underpasses and culverts are under construction across 79 National
Highway projects in the State of Tamil Nadu. These structures are
at various stages of construction. The year of commencement and
present status of completion of each such structure are maintained
by the respective implementing agencies viz. National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI)/State PWD and are regularly monitored at
regional and headquarters levels.
(b) Out of 844 structures across 79 National Highway projects in
the State including bridges, flyovers, underpasses etc., 18 projects
comprising of 104 structures are incomplete for more than one year,
13 projects comprising of 80 structures are incomplete for more
than two years, and under 5 projects comprising of 62 structures
are incomplete for more than three years.
(c) Opening of any National Highway structure for public use is
undertaken only after ensuring full compliance with safety and
traffic-worthiness norms. None of the structures are reported to
have been opened to traffic prior to completion and the conduct of
the requisite safety audit.
(d) Funds are allocated State-wise and not project-wise. During the
last five years, the total funds allocated and expenditure made for
NH projects in Tamil Nadu are Rs. 36405.00 crore and Rs. 36396.00
crore, respectively.
The main reasons for delays and cost overruns wherever occurred,
include issues related to land acquisition, shifting of utilities,
environmental and forest clearances, law and order problems, local
protests, encroachments, poor performance of contractors,
shortage of construction materials and unforeseen site conditions.
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