Tamil Nadu is intensifying its commitment to rural infrastructure with an ambitious ₹8,000 crore investment aimed at transforming village connectivity and housing.
The state government, under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has sanctioned the development of 20,000 km of rural roads through the Mudalvarin Grama Saalaigal Membattu Thittam (MGSMT), a flagship scheme launched in 2022-23. This large-scale initiative underscores Tamil Nadu’s strategic focus on sustainable, equitable rural growth while enhancing the quality of life for millions. So far, the MGSMT scheme has seen remarkable progress, with nearly 12,572 km of rural roads completed across 9,690 projects, amounting to an expenditure of ₹4,609 crore. An additional 6,671 km of roads are currently under construction, backed by ₹3,529 crore in funding. This effort is expected to significantly improve rural mobility, reduce travel time, and boost economic activities by connecting villages more effectively to urban centres and markets.
Parallel to road development, the government is driving an ambitious housing scheme, Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam, aimed at eradicating hutments by 2030 and ensuring dignified living spaces for rural populations. With ₹7,000 crore allocated to build 200,000 homes over the next two years, the scheme is already progressing steadily with 72,081 houses completed. The initiative also extends financial aid through bank loans of up to ₹1 lakh to beneficiaries needing additional support, fostering inclusive growth. Recognising the need for sustainable rural habitation, Tamil Nadu has also earmarked ₹1,041 crore for renovating 1.48 lakh houses built before 2000-01, reflecting a commitment to maintaining safe and resilient living conditions. This approach aligns with eco-friendly and gender-neutral infrastructure goals, ensuring that vulnerable populations are supported in upgrading their homes.
Beyond state-funded projects, the government is leveraging central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), which operates on a cost-sharing model—60 per cent central and 40 per cent state funding. Under PMGSY, 4,182 km of roads, 947 road stretches, and 83 new bridges have been initiated with an investment of ₹3,061 crore. This collaboration amplifies the pace and scale of rural connectivity improvements. In addition to roadways, infrastructure development encompasses over 500 km of rural roads and 308 bridges completed under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund at a cost of ₹1,182 crore, further enhancing the rural transport matrix.
The government’s rural development agenda also includes cultural and heritage preservation, with ₹261 crore dedicated to renovation works at the Periyar Memorial Samathuvarpurams. Moreover, development activities have been rolled out in 10,187 village panchayats under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam, with an allocation of ₹4,277 crore, reflecting a comprehensive approach to rural revitalisation. Tamil Nadu’s multi-pronged infrastructure push represents a critical step towards building zero-carbon, resilient, and inclusive rural communities. The convergence of enhanced road connectivity, improved housing, and village-level development schemes is expected to generate sustainable livelihoods, reduce rural-urban disparities, and empower communities to thrive in an equitable, environmentally conscious framework. As the state accelerates its rural transformation, the challenge remains to maintain the momentum while integrating eco-friendly practices and gender-sensitive policies to realise truly sustainable rural development.
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