MK Stalin, Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu, unveiled a major initiative aimed at constructing and maintaining an extensive network of roads in rural areas.

The State government announced that the project, with an estimated cost of Rs 8.04 billion, is designed to enhance connectivity for Tamil Nadu's rural population, thereby narrowing the divide between urban and rural regions.

A government release highlighted that the project involves the construction of 746 roads covering a total distance of 1,452.97 kilometre across 37 districts in the state. It added that the initiative is being financed through the NABARD-Rural Infrastructure Development Fund for the year 2024-25, with a government order (GO) issued on Monday, January 13.

To ensure the durability and sustainability of the newly built roads, the government has allocated an additional Rs 580 million for their maintenance over the next five years.