Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

26 rural roads in Madurai district identified for development

MADURAI: The district administration has identified 26 rural roads totalling 63 kilometres to carry out repair /upgrade works under an annual National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)-funded scheme.

It has sought Rs. 11.71 crore this year from NABARD under its Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) – 18 wherein the entire project cost is given as a loan to the State Government.

Any cost escalation in the project would have to be borne by the State Government. This sum was the highest sought by Madurai in the last five years under this RIDF scheme, office sources told The Hindu here on Monday.

The roads were identified by officials of the Rural Development Department. The works would focus on improving market connectivity for agricultural produce and improve access to remote rural areas. The works would focus on converting mud roads into pucca tar-topped roads that would remain ‘motorable' in all-weather conditions. This scheme would be utilised to repair roads that were damaged in the recent spell of rain.

Further, roads that were laid under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) would be repaired. Thus, the assets created under the Central Government's rural job scheme would remain protected.

Last year, 24 roads were identified under RIDF – 17 for repairing a 65 km at a total cost of Rs. 10.35 crore.

Prior to 2010-11, the State Government had directed the Rural Development Department to use RIDF to take up road works in the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam villages. However, the rules had since been relaxed and works were being taken up based on demand, officials said.

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