Tamil Nadu Governor Approves the Establishment of State Highways Authority

On December 16, 2024 the Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi issued a notification to constitute the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority under the Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority Act 2024. The authority would take over the responsibilities of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which include constructing, maintaining, and upgrading the highways in the state to enhance connectivity and streamline infrastructure management.

The authority would function with a chairperson and members, both full-time and part-time, with activities including operations management, traffic regulation, toll collection, and raising funds through private or institutional investments.

The project would develop road infrastructure using performance-based maintenance systems and would implement a scientific approach to pavement management. It aims to attract extensive global investments and intends to manage the development and maintenance of highways efficiently and sustainably.

The establishment of this authority will mark a giant leap in the road infrastructure of Tamil Nadu, economic development, and easing road traffic intolerably. The authority will be run by a collegial decision-making system, in which outcomes will be reached by voting among colleagues, assuring a transparent and effective governance model for the management of highways throughout the state.