Development of roadways in Tamil Nadu after Independence

According to John F. Kennedy, "It is not wealth that builds our roads, but roads that build our wealth". This statement emphasizes the importance of roads to a country. Roads form the lifeblood of a nation linking the four corners of the country with industrial towns, market centers, ports and habitations. A good network of roads can transform a country from a developing to a developed nation status. Thus Five Year Plans play a vital role in the improvement of roadways of Tamil Nadu. The 1^st and 2^nd Plan was executed to achieve the target of Nagpur Plan. The 3^rd and 4^th Plan specially emphasized the development of rural roads. Besides pressing the needs for rural roads, 5^th and 6^th Plan provided importance to the surface of roads. Not much improvement was seen in the 7^th and 8^th Plan with regards to roads. Modernity was seen in the 9^th Plan as fly-overs and bye pass roads were constructed during this period. Though financed by the Central Government, Pamban road bridge is the milestone in the history of Highways Department of the State. Thus the roads of Tamil Nadu are in growing trend after independence till millennium. But now the roads are in poor condition due to the implementation of Underground Sewerage System in most of the districts of the State. It is hoped that the roads will be renewed in near future.