The Kerala government has granted in-principle approval for rural infrastructure projects worth Rs 14.41 billion (Rs 1,441 crore) under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development’s (NABARD) Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) Tranche 31. The decision was taken by a high-powered committee chaired by the Chief Secretary following a detailed review of project proposals submitted by multiple state departments.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the approval exceeds Kerala’s normative allocation of Rs 5.5 billion (Rs 550 crore) under the current RIDF tranche, reflecting the government’s intention to prioritise diverse infrastructure needs across departments.

Key Departmental Allocations

The Forest Department has received approval for Rs 1.60 billion, which will be used to establish rapid-response units, build new forest station complexes, and upgrade offices and check-posts—enhancing forest management and wildlife protection capacities.

The Electricity Department will be allocated Rs 1.99 billion to install 5,689 solar-powered pumps distributed through the Agriculture Department to support farmers. The initiative aims to reduce electricity costs and promote clean energy adoption in agriculture.

The Water Resources Department has been allotted Rs 1.76 billion for irrigation improvement works, including the renovation of canal systems under the Pazhassi and Karappuzha projects, improving irrigation efficiency and agricultural water management.

The Kerala Land Development Corporation (KLDC) will receive Rs 2.61 billion for six projects to restore paddy fields and ponds across Thrissur, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam, and Malappuram. These initiatives focus on water conservation and enhanced land productivity in key farming regions.

The Agriculture Department has secured Rs 1.76 billion to establish 26 Smart Krishi Bhavans across 12 districts, modernise paddy-field infrastructure in Alappuzha, and implement anti–human-wildlife conflict measures in Kannur, as part of Kerala’s broader rural modernisation agenda.

The Local Self-Government Department has been sanctioned Rs 1.65 billion to strengthen Comprehensive Municipal Liquid Waste Management and Road Restoration projects, improving sanitation, drainage, and road conditions in rural and semi-urban areas.

Fisheries and Industrial Support

The Fisheries and Port Engineering departments will receive Rs 2.43 billion under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FAIDF) for key coastal infrastructure works. Projects include upgrades to fishing harbours at Chellanam, Cheruvathur, and Manjeshwaram, converting Azhikode fish-landing centre into a full-fledged harbour, and constructing a new Matsyafed net factory.

Additional allocations include:

Rs 449 million for the Kerala State Warehousing Corporation to build modern storage facilities.

Rs 365 million for the Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation to establish infrastructure for manufacturing Vajra 120 power-tillers.

Rs 695 million for soil conservation works in watershed regions.

Officials noted that the funding marks a major step towards integrated rural development, boosting employment, enhancing agricultural productivity, and improving resource sustainability. The projects underline Kerala’s proactive approach to leveraging NABARD’s RIDF for accelerating inclusive and climate-resilient growth across rural areas.