A little over 600 hamlets located in remote pockets of the district would get a facelift soon at an estimated cost of Rs. 19.70 crore under the Tamil Nadu Habitation Improvement (THAI) Scheme.
The ambitious programme from the State government is being launched with the objective to improve the standard of living of the people in tiny and marginal hamlets, where even the basic amenities are not fully available.
The scheme, which starts from this year (2011-12) would take up works in stages and complete them over a five-year period (2015-16).
According to the plan, depending on the number of hamlets in a village panchayat falling in each panchayat union that qualified under the THAI scheme, funds would be earmarked proportionately.
For instance, a panchayat union, which has, say 1 to 4 hamlets fulfilling the norms under THAI, would get Rs. 20 lakh.
Likewise, if the number of hamlets ranged between 5 and 15, it would get Rs. 30 lakh, for 16 to 25 hamlets in a panchayat union, Rs. 40 lakh would be earmarked and above 25 hamlets that required a facelift, Rs. 50 lakh would be provided.
In all, 613 hamlets have been identified by a panel consisting of the respective local bodies' representatives and officials in the block development offices.
A total of 184 drinking water works would be carried out at a cost of Rs. 2.25 crore, 1,232 street lights would be fitted at Rs. 1.25 crore, 433 cement roads laid at Rs 5.42 crore, 92 tar roads would be laid at a cost of Rs 5.88 crore and 211 cremation sheds at Rs 4.87 crore would be erected thus taking the net total cost to Rs 19.70 crore with 2,252 works.
Begin soon
According to a press release, the works would begin soon after complying with the tender procedures.
