Tamil Nadu has unveiled a comprehensive urban infrastructure package to tackle rapid urbanisation and population growth. The state announced a 400 million litres a day desalination plant at Minjur to serve north Chennai, Avadi, Ponneri and Minjur, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 48 billion (Rs 48 bn). The chief minister also announced a dedicated project for round the clock water supply in Avadi at a cost of Rs five billion.

Additional water measures include improvements in Madurai, Cuddalore and other municipalities for Rs ten billion and restoration of 33 old water schemes for Rs three billion. The Kilpauk water treatment plant will be upgraded for Rs four point one billion. Road restoration and new construction across urban local bodies will be funded at Rs 18.5 billion.

Aging sewage systems in Madurai, Nagercoil and Chennai will be upgraded and waste to energy projects will be implemented, with nine megawatt (MW) and 10 MW plants planned at Tirunelveli and Salem respectively, financed at Rs two point five six billion and Rs two point nine one billion. The state will implement an Integrated Urban Development Plan for Rs two point seven five billion that includes people friendly roads, safe access to schools and traffic island improvements. School facilities in urban local bodies will be upgraded under a Rs three point three five billion scheme to improve the learning environment.

A massive tree planting drive of 10 million (10 mn) saplings will be undertaken alongside development of major parks in Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur and Pudukkottai at Rs one point three billion and creation of 250 new parks statewide for Rs one point seven five billion. Cultural and tourism works include route beautification for Chidambaram temple chariot festivals for Rs 360 mn, a heritage walk in Cuddalore for Rs 800 mn and enhancements at Kanyakumari beach for Rs 500 mn. Targeted amenities in underdeveloped zones of the Chennai Corporation will be improved under a Rs one billion programme.