TN Minister Promises White Papers on PWD and Highways Projects, Cites Cost Reductions

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu State Highways and Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna informed the Assembly on Tuesday that the government will soon release white papers detailing the current status of projects and explaining how tenders issued during the previous regime led to cost escalations in the two departments.

Speaking during the demands for grants for the highways department, the minister said that in the last 60 days, the state government reduced the estimated project value by 20%–36% in all tenders floated by the previous government, resulting in savings for the state exchequer. These figures were presented as the minister's statements, not independently verified.

He also said efforts would be intensified to reduce road accidents in Tamil Nadu, noting that around 18,000 people die in road accidents in the state every year. The minister mentioned strict enforcement of road safety norms through CCTV surveillance as part of the planned measures.

The announcement comes as the state government outlines its spending and policy priorities for the highways and public works departments.