Kerala to get Nabard fund for rural infra projects

Thiruvananthapuram: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 50.82 crore to Kerala for taking up rural infrastructure projects.

The allocation is from Nabard’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund XIV for the implementation of 59 projects by various State Government departments.

The allocations include Rs 16.43 crore to the Public Works Department for implementing five rural bridge projects in Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Kannur districts; Rs 9.03 crore to the Soil Conservation Unit of the Agriculture Department for 13 soil conservation and drainage projects in nine districts; and Rs 8.99 crore to the Kerala Land Development Corporation for taking up seven drainage projects in Kollam and Alappuzha districts.

The bank has also sanctioned Rs 6.93 crore to the Water Resources Department for implementing 30 minor irrigation projects in Idukki, Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam districts; Rs 5.20 crore to the Engineering Wing of the Agriculture Department for Cheriyanad drainage project in Alappuzha district; and Rs 4.24 crore to the Local Self Government Department for implementing two minor irrigation projects in Ernakulam district and Kollakkadavu public market in Alappuzha district.

Earlier this year, Nabard had sanctioned Rs 449.89 crore for 36 rural water supply projects to be implemented by the Kerala Water Authority under the Special Package Assisted by Nabard, according to Mr Joseph S. Pynadath, General Manager, Nabard Regional Office.

With the present sanction, the total loan sanctioned to the State under RIDF XIV has reached Rs 500.71 crore, which is the highest allocation to the State since the inception of RIDF in 1995-96.