With about 78,000 houses having been built in the rural areas of Tamil Nadu under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam (KKI) scheme, authorities are taking steps to expedite the construction of nearly 1.2 lakh more houses.

The plan is to ensure the completion of the remaining houses in a few months, said a senior official of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department. 

Launched during 2024-25, the KKI envisages the construction of one lakh houses annually. Of the 1,00,000 houses approved last year, 76,468 houses have been completed. In the case of 23,255 houses, at least the roof has been laid. As for the remaining 277 houses, action has been initiated to bring the construction up to the stage of roofing in 10 days.

As regards the houses sanctioned this year, 18 houses have been completed. For 82,765 houses, the completion of the basement stage has at least been accomplished. The progress in the construction of the houses includes the provision of lintel for 23,564 houses, the laying of roof for 4,047 houses, and plastering/whitewash and colour wash for 291 units.

As of now, a sum of ₹581 crore has been incurred in the current year, which is billed as one of the expeditiously carried out works in housing projects of the RD&PR department, the official pointed out. 

Out of a total grant of ₹3,100 crore set aside last year under KKI, ₹2,930 crore has been spent. Further, steps are on to release ₹267.96 crore to beneficiaries in convergence with allocations made under other schemes. 

As part of the scheme, the minimum plinth area of every house is 360 sq. ft., including the kitchen. At least 300 sq. ft. will be covered with reinforced cement concrete. The unit cost of each house is ₹3.5 lakh, including the convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) to facilitate 90 person days for house construction. Ten person days will be accounted for individual household latrine (IHHL), which will come under the Swachh Bharat (Grameen) at the cost of ₹12,000.

Every prospective beneficiary should hold a patta in his or her name. As for landless persons who are otherwise eligible, District Collectors have been issuing pattas so that such persons are included in the list of beneficiaries, the official clarified.