TN Approves ₹8,000 Cr Rural Roads Push, Targets 20,000-km Upgrade and Hut-Free State by 2030

The Cabinet of Tamil Nadu has approved ₹8,000 crore for improving rural roads covering an area of 20,000 km through a new scheme called Mudalvarin Grama Saalaigal Membattu Thittam. This global step can revolutionise rural mobility and connectivity in the state. Of the total amount of work targeted after the launch of this scheme in 2022-23, 12,572 km came under 9,690 projects at a cost of ₹4,609 crore. Besides, works are on for another 6,671 km, with an allocation of ₹3,529 crore.

At the same time, it is moving works under the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam program, which aims at achieving hut-free Tamil Nadu by creating an exclusive 2030 pond. The government has earmarked ₹7,000 crores for house construction work under the two years of building two lakh units. 72,081 of the total completed housing units are finished, with the rest at different progress stages. Also, beneficiaries are eligible to get housing loans up to ₹10 lakhs.

Acknowledging that a very old stock of housing needs revamping, the government allocated ₹1,041 crore for FY 2024-25 for renovation of 1,48,000 government-built houses dating back before 2000-01.

The works routed for rural bypasses also include an exclusive item under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. For example, through this gateway, the government of Tamil Nadu undertakes improvements of 947 roads and 83 bridges covering 4,182 km at the cost of ₹3,061 crore to be shared 60% by the Centre and 40% by the state. Further, 283 roads and 308 bridges stretching over 500 km financed with an investment of ₹1,182 crore have been handed to NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.

Other key initiatives in rural development comprise the refurbishing of Periyar Memorial Samathuvarpurams at a cost of ₹261 crore and ₹4,277 crore under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam, undertaking infrastructure works in 10,187 village panchayats.

Combining these measures would directly provide employment at 8.4 lakh person-days and indirectly generate employment at 10.45 lakh person-days. Moreover, it will improve the condition of housing and offer better infrastructure, tourism, and livelihoods in rural areas across the state.