National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 159 crore to Government of Tamil Nadu for improvements lo 147 roads and reconstruction of 115 rural bridges damaged in the Gaja cyclone in the four districts of Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Dindigul and Nagapattinam. On completion of the projects by 31 March 2021, connectivity of 701 villag es to 247 marketing centres in these four districts is expected to be improved.
According to a press note, the sanction has been accorded under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) - xxv. RIDF funds are being extensively availed by State Governments to improve the critical infrastructure projects in rural areas. Tamil Nadu is one of the leading states in the country in availing RIDF assistance and has successfully completedmany rural infrastructure projects in the previous years.
