Kerala Approves Rs 1,441 Cr Infrastructure Projects under NABARD RIDF Tranche 31

A high-powered committee chaired by the Kerala Chief Secretary has granted in-principle approval to infrastructure projects worth Rs 1,441 crore under Tranche 31 of NABARD’s Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) allocates RIDF funds annually to boost rural infrastructure development across India.

The approved projects span multiple departments, including forest management, renewable energy, irrigation, agriculture, and local governance. The Forest Department received Rs 159.64 crore for setting up Rapid Response Teams, building forest station complexes, and upgrading forest office infrastructure. The Electricity Department was sanctioned Rs 199.70 crore to install 5,689 solar pumps for agricultural beneficiaries.

The Water Resources Department received Rs 176.42 crore for irrigation projects, while the Kerala Land Development Corporation was allocated Rs 261 crore to renovate and develop paddy fields and ponds in five districts. The Agriculture Department will utilize Rs 176.14 crore to establish 26 smart agricultural houses across 12 districts and implement human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures in Kannur.

Additionally, the Local Self-Government Department has been allotted Rs 165 crore for liquid waste management and road restoration, while projects worth Rs 243 crore from the Fisheries and Port Engineering departments were recommended for low-interest funding under the Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund Scheme.

This funding push under NABARD RIDF aims to strengthen Kerala’s rural infrastructure, boost agriculture, and promote sustainable development across sectors.