TN announces 'Integrated Urban Development Scheme'

CHENNAI: With an aim to improve basic infrastructure facilities in cities and urban areas in the state, Tamil Nadu government today decided to start an " Integrated Urban Development Scheme" at a cost of Rs 6,653 crore.

Under the scheme, basic infrastructure, including drinking water, sewage water removal, health, rain water drainage, roads and streets, solid waste management, parking facilities and parks will be improved in corporation and townships at a cost of Rs 5,890 crore, an official release said.

Funds to the tune of Rs 763 crore were allocated to improve infrastructure in town panchayat areas, it said.

In the first phase, urban areas including corporations and municipalities as well as town panchayats will be improved at a cost of Rs 757.28 crore, it said.

Funds of Rs 506.48 crore - including Rs 30.50 crore for storm water sewage, Rs 58.80 crore for drinking water, Rs 145.11 crore for mending roads and lay new roads, Rs 88.96 crore for rain water drainage, Rs 124.54 crore for solid waste management, Rs 58.57 crore for streetlights has been allocated for infrastructure in cities and towns.

As for rural areas like town panchayats in the first phase, Rs 250.80 crore, including Rs 9.67 crore for laying storm water sewage, Rs 34.92 crore for drinking water, Rs 108.15 crore for restoring old roads and laying new roads, Rs 45.69 crore for rain water drainage, Rs 52.37 crore for solid waste management, it added.

Intending to cater the drinking water needs of Chennai city, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ordered to lay pipes with a width of 2,000 mm between Chembarambakkam reservoir and Poonamallee Bye Pass Road junction at a cost of Rs 41.35 crore.

Laying of pipeline for a total length of 6.5 km will help the total capacity of 530 million litre at Chembarambakkam water treatment plant be supplied to the city.