Tamil Nadu plans 25-year infra roadmaps for cities under World Bank-backed programme

The Tamil Nadu government has invited consultants to prepare 25-year City Infrastructure Development Plans (CIDPs) for several urban local bodies, in an exercise aimed at identifying infrastructure gaps and setting out long-term investment priorities.

Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited (TNUIFSL) has issued requests for proposals in five packages under the World Bank-funded Tamil Nadu Climate Resilient Urban Development Project.

The municipal corporations named in the programme include Chennai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Thoothukudi, Sivakasi, Avadi, Tambaram, Cuddalore, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Salem and Hosur, reported The Indian Express. Udhagamandalam’s special-grade municipality is also included.

The exercise forms part of the chief minister’s Integrated Urban Development Mission 2026–2031.

The consultants will assess the existing coverage, capacity, condition and performance of civic infrastructure through field inspections, geographical information system (GIS) mapping and consultations with stakeholders.

The assessment will cover drinking water supply, sewerage, sanitation, stormwater drainage, solid waste management, roads, non-motorised transport, urban water bodies, parks, public health facilities, schools, markets, community halls and digital municipal services.

Climate risks and disaster-prone locations will also be examined to identify infrastructure requirements and areas vulnerable to extreme weather events.

The plans will include population and service-demand projections for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years. Consultants will also prepare rolling five-year capital investment plans, identifying projects for immediate, short-term, medium-term and long-term implementation.

The financial assessment will examine the performance of local bodies over the previous five years and identify ways to improve their revenue generation and capacity to fund infrastructure projects.

The plans are expected to provide a common framework for local authorities to prioritise investments, identify funding sources and coordinate infrastructure development.

The exercise is particularly significant as Tamil Nadu’s cities face growing demands for water supply, sewerage, drainage, roads and other essential services amid rapid urbanisation.

The preparation of the plans is the initial stage. Individual projects will require separate funding arrangements and approvals before implementation.