Chennai: In a move to improve the infrastructure of roads in several districts, the State government today allotted Rs 147 crore for the construction of 1,050 bridges.
The Government order released by the Department of Rural Development said 700 micro, 250 small bridges and 100 causeways will be constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
The release said the Central government will pay the salary for the workers and added that the expenses for the construction work will be shared between the State and the Central governments.
The Union government will give 75 per cent and the State government will give 25 per cent. Out of the 146.78 crore, the Central government will give Rs 114.12 crore and the State government will give Rs 32.66 crore, the release mentioned.
The release added that the work will start at the earliest and will be completed within the stipulated time. It may be noted that Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami made a slew of announcements for the Department of Rural Development during the recently concluded Assembly session.
He said 10,000 check dams will be constructed at a cost of Rs 312 crore in the current fiscal year and added that improvements to road networks in rural areas will be taken up at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore.
In June, Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani called on Union Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi and demanded for the release of grant under the 14th Finance Commission.
Velumani demanded performance grant of Rs 560.15 crore for 2017-18 and the second installment of Rs 1,608.03 crore for 2018-19 for the rural and urban local bodies of the State under the 14th Finance Commission.
He also told the Union Minister that Tamilnadu is known for adhering to directives of the Union Ministry of Rural Development and has always been at the forefront in execution of various rural development schemes.