The High Power Committee chaired by the Kerala Chief Secretary has granted in-principle approval for infrastructure development projects worth Rs 1,441.24 crore in Kerala under Tranche 31 of the NABARD-funded Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF).

The proposals were cleared based on the normative allocation of ₹550 crore for the state under this tranche.

The Forest Department has received approval for projects worth ₹159.64 crore, which include setting up rapid response units, forest station complexes and improving infrastructure facilities in forest offices.

An allocation of ₹199.70 crore has been made under the Power Department for the installation of 5,689 solar pumps for beneficiaries of the Agriculture Department.

A total of ₹176.42 crore has been recommended for irrigation projects under the Water Resources Department, focusing on the renovation of canals in the Pazhassi and Karappuzha irrigation schemes.

The Kerala Land Development Corporation has been allotted ₹261 crore for six projects aimed at reviving padasekharams and ponds in Thrissur, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts.

Under the Social Justice Department, ₹73 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of a 250 bed rehabilitation hospital and an academic block at NIPMER.

The Agriculture Department has received approval for ₹176.14 crore worth of projects, which include establishing 26 Smart Krishi Bhavans across 12 districts, infrastructure development across key paddy belts in Alappuzha and measures to mitigate human–wildlife conflict in Kannur.

The Coastal Shipping & Inland Navigation Department will receive ₹217 crore for constructing boat jetties at Mayyil and Mullakodi and six bridges across the TS Canal.

The Kerala State Warehousing Corporation has been granted ₹44.92 crore to construct modern warehouses and godowns, while Kerala Agro Machinery Corporation has been allotted ₹36.45 crore for infrastructure to support the manufacturing of Vajra 120 power tillers.

The Local Self-Government Department has earmarked ₹165 crore for projects under the Comprehensive Municipal Liquid Waste Management and Road Restoration initiative. Additionally, ₹69.46 crore has been approved for soil conservation activities by the Soil Survey & Soil Conservation Department in the watersheds of the North and South zones.

Projects worth ₹243 crore submitted by the Fisheries and Harbour Engineering Departments have been recommended to be taken up under the concessional Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).

These include renovation of Chellanam, Cheruvathur and Manjeshwaram fishing harbours, upgrading Azhikode Fish Landing Centre into a fishing harbour and construction of a Matysafed net factory.

The Additional Chief Secretary informed that the deadline for submitting bills under RIDF Tranche 26 has been extended to December 31, 2025. With Tranche 27 scheduled to end on March 31, 2026, executing officers have been directed to complete the projects and submit claims on time.