National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) set up Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in 1995-96, to extend financial assistance to the State Governments; Government owned Corporations, Village Panchayats, Self Help Groups and Non-Government Organisations for taking up infrastructure projects in rural areas. The NABARD is releasing funds under different tranches. Major investments covered under the Fund include rural roads, bridges, minor irrigation structures, schools, health centers and power projects. Loans under RIDF have been sanctioned by NABARD to the Government of Tamil Nadu. 

            The financing of rural roads and bridges commenced during RIDF - II and the funds received from RIDF were used to construct new roads, upgrade existing roads to Black Topped roads, strengthen existing Black Topped roads, etc. Under NABARD-RIDF, upto tranche XVI, 4,305 road works for a length of 10,577.42 Km have been taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.1,321.17 crore and all the works have been completed.

District wise details of works to be taken up under NABARD-RIDF XVIII (2011-12)

            For the year 2016-17, Government has issued orders sanctioning an amount of Rs.60.95 crore under NABARD-XXII for the construction of 51 bridges. These works will be taken up shortly.