Did TN Sanction Rs 8,000 Crore for Rural Road Development?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rs 8,000 crore allocated for rural road development.
- 20,000 km of roads to be constructed.
- Support for housing under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme.
- Funding for renovation of rural homes.
- Enhancements in village connectivity.
Chennai, June 29 (NationPress) The government of Tamil Nadu has allocated Rs 8,000 crore for the construction of 20,000 km of rural roads through the Mudalvarin Grama Saalaigal Membattu Thittam (MGSMT), also known as the Chief Minister’s Rural Roads Development Scheme.
A recent announcement from the state government emphasized the accomplishments of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin approving the enhancement of 20,000 km of rural roads under this initiative. To date, 9,690 projects covering 12,572 km have been finalized at a projected cost of Rs 4,609 crore.
Currently, work on an additional 6,671 km of roads is in progress, with an investment of Rs 3,529 crore under this scheme, which commenced in the fiscal year 2022-23.
In parallel, the state government has set aside Rs 7,000 crore for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme, aimed at achieving a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030, facilitating the construction of two lakh houses over two years.
Out of these, 72,081 houses have already been built, while the others are at various stages of construction. This scheme also includes provisions for bank loans of up to Rs one lakh for beneficiaries who require additional assistance.
For the restoration of rural homes established under various government programs prior to 2000-01, an allocation of Rs 1,041.32 crore has been made for 2024-25 to renovate 1.48 lakh houses.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which receives 60 percent funding from the Union government and 40 percent from the state, approximately 4,182 km of 947 roads and 83 new bridges have been initiated at an estimated cost of Rs 3,061 crore.
Additionally, over 500 km of 283 roads and 308 bridges have been completed for Rs 1,182 crore under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
The government is also carrying out renovation works at Periyar Memorial Samathuvarpurams with an investment of Rs 261 crore. Moreover, development initiatives have been implemented in 10,187 village panchayats under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam, with a financial allocation of Rs 4,277 crore.