The Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development
Corporation Limited (TUFIDCO) would be the nodal agency for the
implementation of the ‘Kalaignar Nagarpura Mempattu Thittam’ (KNMT), a
new scheme announced by the State government for urban development.

The
ambitious scheme that is to be implemented on a total outlay of ₹1,000
crore during 2021-22 would cover all 121 municipalities and 528 town
panchayats, since Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT has extensively covered
Municipal Corporations and major towns. TUFIDCO would act as the Fund
Management Agency of the KNMT fund and would appraise the projects for
the scheme, call for tenders for studies and preparation of DPRs,
execute/terminate deeds, contracts and agreements, among other
functions.

According to the guidelines issued on Tuesday, an Urban
Development Plan (UDP) would be prepared for each urban body following a
detailed survey so as to assess the present availability of basic
infrastructure and the gaps to be fulfilled. “A City Water Balance Plan
will be prepared for each urban local body. Similar survey and
assessment of the gaps will be undertaken for all needed components of
the ULBs concerned,” reads the guidelines.

Based on the UDP, basic
needs would be assessed and works would be taken up to fulfil the
infrastructure gaps — be it water supply, street lights, roads/streets
and lanes, community infrastructure, such as community halls, markets,
libraries/knowledge centres, among others.

A
five-member Project Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee headed by the
Secretary of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department
will decide the sub allocation to municipalities and town panchayats.