TN Budget 2021-22: Chennai gets new metro routes, plans for Madurai metro on roll

Newly sworn-in DMK government under Chief Minister MK Stalin presented revised budget for 2021-22 on Friday.

Chennai:Finance minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan presented first paperless budget in the history of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. Prior to this budget, finance minister released a white paper on the state's finances.

Finance minister in his budget statement announced that the government had decided to bring down the cost of petrol by Rs. 3 through reduction of its taxation.

Important highlights of budget

The use of Tamil as the official language will be strengthened in all government departments from the Secretariat down to the field-level.

Rs.5 crore will be allocated this financial year to carry out archaeological excavations in Tamil Nadu, which is the highest among all States in the country.

The areas in Keezhadi, Sivakalai and Kodumanal where excavations have been carried out will be declared as protected archaeological sites.

The government will launch the Green Tamil Nadu Mission to increase the forest and tree cover in Tamil Nadu to 33 per cent of the land area of the State. Under the mission, a massive tree plantation programme of indigenous and diverse species, in co-ordination with multiple departments, public and private institutions will be taken up with people's participation over next 10 years.

The government will launch the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission under the Hon'ble Chief Minister to focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation activities with a total outlay of Rs. 500 crores.

India's first Integrated Environment Monitoring Studio will be established for forecasting air quality on a real-time basis with an early warning system.

Under the leadership of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, this government will launch the Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission with the objective of ecological restoration of wetlands in Tamil Nadu. The mission will identify and map 100 wetlands in 5 years and restore the ecological balance with focus on livelihood options at a cost of Rs.150 crore.

Services on the Kodambakkam to Poonamallee bye pass section of the Metro Rail Project will be commenced within four years, by June, 2025, the entire Metro Rail Project Phase II will be completed by December, 2026.

In parallel to this, government will speedily take up the extension of the metro rail project from Airport to Kilambakkam Bus Terminus via Tambaram.

Detailed Feasibility Report for the Metro Rail in Madurai will be prepared.