The Tamil Nadu government sanctioned ₹8,000 to strengthen rural roads and housing

The Tamil Nadu government has greenlit a ₹8,000 crore initiative to upgrade 20,000 km of rural roads under the Chief Minister’s Rural Roads Development Scheme, aiming to enhance village connectivity and infrastructure.

Through extensive road construction and housing projects, the Tamil Nadu government has authorised a comprehensive plan of ₹8,000 crore that aims to overhaul rural infrastructure. The “Mudalvarin Grama Saalaigal Membattu Thittam” (MGSMT) project will upgrade 20,000 kilometres of rural roads. Currently, 12,572 km of roads across 9,690 projects have been completed at a cost of ₹4,609 crore. Another 6,671 km is in various phases of execution with a financial investment of ₹3,529 crore.

The government has allocated ₹7,000 crore for the Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam housing plan, which aims to construct two lakh dwellings over two years. This project is part of the state’s ambition to eliminate huts by 2030. 72,081 houses have already been constructed, and more are under construction. Beneficiaries can get interest-free bank loans of up to ₹1 lakh for building.

To repair the condition of existing residences, particularly those built before 2000-01, the state has sanctioned ₹1,041 crore for renovating about 1.48 lakh during the 2024-25 fiscal year. The Pradhan Mantri Gramme Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) is supporting rural road construction in Tamil Nadu, with 947 road projects and 83 bridges totalling ₹3,061 crore. NABARD financing has already helped build nearly 500 kilometres of roads and 308 bridges, totalling ₹1,182 crore.

The infrastructure initiative comprises ₹261 crore for renovating facilities in Periyar Memorial Samathuvarpurams to promote social equity. The Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam has granted ₹4,277 million to provide amenities in 10,187 village panchayats. Together, these programmes represent a concerted effort to improve connectivity, promote inclusive housing, and improve the quality of life in rural Tamil Nadu.