Trichy Leads in Namakku Naame Projects, Beautification Takes Priority

The Namakku Naame Thittam (NNT Urban), a scheme focusing on public participatory scheme for urban infrastructure development in Trichy, has been the keyword over the past four years. The scheme has won 137 projects across the city since being launched in 2021 at a cost of ₹ 25 crore including the public outlay.

NNT, which promotes citizen participation in urban development, is concerned with the basic infrastructure needed for urban areas, such as roads, water supply systems, drainage systems, public parks etc. As per the scheme, local bodies bear up to 67% of the cost of the project, and residents or private bodies contribute at least 33% of the cost of development often through CSR (corporate social responsibility) initiatives.

Out of the total approved projects, 45 have been for basic infrastructure, including road upgradation and providing drinking water connections, sewerage and street lights. The rest 92 projects are in nine sectors; a vast majority focused on beautification drives, pavement, stormwater drain construction and setting up CCTV. These were the top three priorities, demonstrating a proactive engagement of the residents in improving public safety and beauty.

But certain important sectors like water body restoration, healthcare, education and sanitation, continue to draw far less attention. The poor response to the renovation of water bodies has been partly due to the fact the state would need to provide 50% funding, which has deterred public contribution. Other than voluntary contribution, projects such as the construction of indoor badminton courts and maintenance of public parks needed persuasion from officials.

Even in beautifications, Trichy is ahead, with hospitals and real estate firms donating Pr funds for more aesthetic plants, open parks, awareness graffiti, water fountains and Median redevelopments. This preference for visible projects indicates that private sponsors regard these projects as forms of branding.

Despite the strides, officials also acknowledge shortcomings in public health and sanitation efforts. “Compared to other urban bodies, more projects have been implemented in Trichy under NNT. In the next fiscal we are going to install public urinals to address open urination spots,” said Commissioner V Saravanan.

NNT has been pivotal in making the area bloom, but now it should focus on making up for the decades of neglecting basic public infrastructures.