Kerala   

Nabard sanctions Rs. 144 cr.

Thiruvananthapuram: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs.144.33 crore from its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund XIII (RIDF-XIII) for 63 projects in the State.

The projects include the Chamravattom multipurpose project (regulator-cum-bridge), involving an RIDF loan of Rs.95.12 crore. It will be undertaken by the Water Resources Department in Malappuram across the Bharathapuzha.

The length of the bridge will be 978 metre with a span of 12 metre having 70 of shutters. The project, on completion, is expected to benefit an area of 3235 ha ensuring availability of sufficient water for taking second and third crops, controlling saline water intrusion into the upstream side of the regulator and ensuring availability of water for drinking purpose.

Sixteen villages with a total population of around 4,3000 are expected to get direct benefits from the project. The project is also expected to reduce the road distance between Kozhikode and Kochi by 40 km.

Other benefits envisaged include using the water body formed for fish culture as well as water sports, cultural tourism and pilgrimage. This is the biggest project sanctioned under Nabard aid in the State. Other projects sanctioned include thirteen rural roads (including one tourism road) and three bridges involving Rs.35.44 crore. These are being undertaken by the Public Works Department in Alappuzha, Idukki, Palakkad, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Ernakulam and Kannur districts.

The projects would generate substantial non-recurring employment, savings in vehicle operating costs, reduction in travel distance of 22 km and better connectivity to 62 villages.

The present aid also includes one rural drinking water supply project in Karimkunnam grama panchayat involving Rs.3.10 crore to be implemented by the District Panchayat in Idukki. The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) would undertake it. It is expected to benefit a projected population of more than 15,000. The works sanctioned under ‘minor irrigation’ include forty-two projects (including 13 in Palakkad). These involve an RIDF loan of Rs.7.65 crore and are being undertaken by the Water Resources Department in Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki, Kannur, Kollam, Malappuram and Palakkad districts.

These projects will bring 1766.5 ha under irrigation thereby enhancing the productivity of various crops. Sanction has also been accorded to three drainage and flood control projects. It will be executed by the Kerala Land Development Corporation in Alappuzha district.

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