Budget focusses on retrofitting for water supply, link roads in urban areas of Tamil Nadu

Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department will implement drinking water supply schemes, link roads, computer equipped knowledge centres and social infrastructure in all urban areas. In the Budget Estimates, a sum of Rs.26,678 crore has been allocated for the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.

Presenting the State Budget for 2025-26 in the Assembly, Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu said, work estimated at Rs.4,32 crore has been undertaken under the ‘Kalaignar Nagarpura Mempattu Thittam’ over the last four years. An amount of Rs.2,000 crore has been allocated to complete the works sanctioned under this scheme in the year 2025-26. Roads measuring 6,483 km in all corporations, municipalities and town panchayats in the State will be upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs.3,750 crore by converging various funds. Under this scheme, 570 km of roads will be taken up at a cost of Rs.486 crore in Greater Chennai Corporation, Rs.200 crore in Coimbatore Corporation and Rs.130 crore in Madurai Corporation. 

Similarly, for efficient solid waste management and power generation, a waste to energy plant will be set up in the Tambaram Corporation benefitting the municipalities and town panchayats adjacent to the Greater Chennai and Tambaram Corporations. Under this initiative, 1,500 tonnes of non-recyclable solid waste will be processed with an electricity generation capacity of 15 – 18 MW. 

In a bid to provide a clean and green living environment to the residents in urban areas, the Adyar River Restoration and Beautification Project has been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.1,500 crore in collaboration with private partners. The first phase of this project, scheduled for completion within 30 months, will prioritise the works between Saidapet and Thiru.Vi.Ka. Bridge, with these tasks expected to be completed within 15 months. Additionally, seven climate-resilient sponge parks will be set up across Chennai Metropolitan area at an estimated cost of Rs.88 crore. 

Riverside development works such as sewage treatment plants, footpaths, street lights, modern toilets, children’s park and other modern facilities for the use of public will be implemented in Trichy, Madurai, Erode, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli Corporations at an estimated cost of Rs.400 crore. These projects will prevent direct discharge of sewage of the corporation areas located on the banks of Cauvery, Vaigai, Noyyal and Thamirabarani rivers in Tamil Nadu. 

With the aim of replacing inefficient electric pumps and pipes, renewing water sources where necessary, and enhancing the overall efficiency of the combined water supply schemes, retrofitting works in a total of 102 schemes will be undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs.675 crore this year. This will ensure consistent water supply in these scheme areas for the next fifteen years.

Combined water supply scheme (CWSS) will be implemented on priority basis through Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board in the coming year 2025-26 in Pudukottai district, at a cost of Rs.1,820 crore, benefitting 4.07 lakh people in Pudukottai Corporation, Aranthangi Municipality and 526 rural habitations.

In Mayiladuthurai district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.2,200 crore, benefitting 11.22 lakh people in Mayiladuthurai and Sirkazhi Municipalities, Tharangampadi, Manalmedu and Kuthalam Town Panchayats and 1,042 rural habitations. 

In Tenkasi district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.864 crore, benefitting 5.64 lakh residents in Kadayanallur Municipality and 493 rural habitations. In Thoothukudi district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.370 crore, benefitting 1.3 lakh residents in 639 rural habitations. In Tiruppur district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.890 crore, 21 benefitting 4.91 lakh people in 1,252 rural habitations. In Erode district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.374 crore, benefitting approximately 92,000 people in 214 rural habitations. In Tiruvallur district, a CWSS will be implemented at a cost of Rs.150 crore, benefitting 76,000 residents in 138 rural habitations.