Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin Unveils Massive ₹516 Crore Development Initiative
In a significant boost to regional infrastructure and welfare, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated a comprehensive series of development projects and assistance schemes across Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts on Friday. The ambitious push represents a total financial commitment of approximately ₹516 crore, combining new constructions, inaugurations, and direct beneficiary support.
Krishnagiri District Receives Major Investment Inflow
During a government function in Krishnagiri, Udhayanidhi Stalin formally inaugurated 500 completed projects with a combined value of ₹41.5 crore. Simultaneously, he laid the foundation stone for 709 new projects worth ₹147.92 crore, signaling substantial future development across the region. Perhaps most impactful was the distribution of government welfare assistance totaling ₹326.93 crore to 10,709 individual beneficiaries, providing direct economic support to thousands of families.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister outlined the state government's broader developmental vision. "We have established clear targets to construct eight lakh houses by 2030, completely eliminate school dropouts, generate employment opportunities for 50 lakh people, and implement smart classroom facilities in every single government school across Tamil Nadu," he declared.
Knowledge Corridor Announcement and Farmer Assurance
Udhayanidhi Stalin announced plans for a new knowledge corridor in Hosur, designed to mirror the success of Chennai's Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway and foster development comparable to Bengaluru. However, he directly addressed circulating rumors suggesting land acquisition up to one kilometer on both sides of National Highway 948 for the project, which allegedly threatened the Kelavarapalli dam irrigation area.
"Farmers have legitimately raised their concerns through Minister R Sakkarapani," Udhayanidhi stated. "I want to make it unequivocally clear that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has provided firm assurance. Our government will not proceed with any project that causes harm to farmers or adversely affects the people of Krishnagiri district." He emphasized that work on the corridor has not yet commenced and reaffirmed the administration's commitment to people-centric development.
Dharmapuri District Benefits from Infrastructure Boost
The development drive extended to Dharmapuri district, where at a function held at the Dharmapuri Government Arts College, the Deputy Chief Minister laid foundation stones for 421 new projects and inaugurated 33 recently completed initiatives.
Empowering Self-Help Groups Across the State
Highlighting the government's focus on grassroots economic empowerment, Udhayanidhi Stalin revealed that Tamil Nadu is home to four lakh active Self-Help Groups (SHGs). To strengthen these vital community organizations, the administration has facilitated bank credit linkages worth an impressive ₹1.41 lakh crore.
Furthermore, all SHG members have been provided with official identity cards. These cards unlock multiple benefits, including free transport for products weighing up to 25 kilograms over distances of 100 kilometers in government buses, alongside substantial fee concessions at Aavin and Co-optex retail outlets. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs and enhance the market reach of products created by SHGs.
The series of inaugurations, foundation ceremonies, and welfare distributions underscore the Tamil Nadu government's multi-pronged strategy to accelerate infrastructure development, stimulate economic growth, and provide direct support to citizens, with a particular focus on the Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri regions.
