Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam (KNMT) 2026 continues to run under the new government as one of the state's main urban infrastructure schemes. Works worth ₹4,132 crore have been taken up under KNMT since it was rolled out, and the state budget set aside another ₹2,000 crore in 2025-26 to complete the sanctioned projects.
Scheme covers 121 municipalities and 528 town panchayats across Tamil Nadu, filling infrastructure gaps that central schemes like Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT do not reach. This article explains latest budget allocation, coverage, provisions and official website of KNMT scheme.
Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam (KNMT) Scheme 2026
Each urban local body starts detailed surveys in a ward-wise manner and prepares an urban development plan (UDP) to find out the availability of basic infrastructure and the gaps that need filling. Tamil Nadu has 14 corporations, 121 municipalities and 528 town panchayats. Although Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT improve infrastructure in 11 corporations and 28 towns, KNMT scheme was brought in to support the municipalities and town panchayats that these central schemes do not cover.
Latest Budget Allocation for KNMT
Tamil Nadu government allocated ₹2,000 crore for Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam in the 2025-26 state budget, to complete works already sanctioned under the scheme. Since KNMT was rolled out, works worth a total of ₹4,132 crore have been undertaken across municipalities and town panchayats, well above the ₹1,000 crore outlay announced at launch. Same budget also set aside ₹850 crore for Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme, a related urban beautification programme run alongside KNMT. Continued budget support shows scheme is still active heading into 2026, ahead of the state assembly elections. Government has also announced other mega schemes for Tamil Nadu around the same period.
Provisions of Tamil Nadu KNMT Scheme
In Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam Scheme, there is a provision of 100% household tap connections, sewer links and roads. These are money-heavy works and mostly cover prominent areas of urban local bodies. Infrastructure gaps still exist in many backward areas, slums and newly added areas of municipalities and town panchayats, and officials have said these areas get preference under KNMT.
Implementation of TN Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam Scheme
Detailed surveys look into availability of water supply, sanitation, internal roads, streetlights, burial grounds and crematoriums, and other community infrastructure. For roads, a detailed road network plan gets prepared, including all major roads of various agencies, national and state highways, and municipality and town panchayat roads. For water supply, total demand, supply and future needs get counted, based on which a city water balance plan gets prepared for each local body.
Apart from water supply, streetlights and roads, KNMT guidelines cover several other community infrastructure works in municipalities and town panchayats:
- Community halls, markets and modern libraries - built with computers to help students and job seekers prepare for exams and access information easily.
- Modern bus stands and rejuvenation of water bodies - upgrading old bus stands and reviving ponds, lakes and other water sources in urban areas.
- Solid waste management and public toilets - procurement of vehicles for waste collection, along with construction and renovation of public toilets, parks and playfields.
Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (Tufidco) is the nodal agency for KNMT. Municipal commissioners and town panchayat commissioners send proposals to Tufidco, which reviews them and places them before the project sanctioning and monitoring committee for approval. Work inside places of worship, land owned by religious groups, acquisition of land or assets for individuals, and work in government-aided or self-financing schools and colleges are not allowed under KNMT.
Official Website for KNMT Scheme
Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department runs a dedicated KNMT section on its official website tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/knmt/, where scheme guidelines, government orders and project details are available for the public. KNMT does not have a separate application process for individual citizens, since it works through municipalities and town panchayats directly, so people can check this portal for ward-level project status and scheme guidelines.
KNMT Scheme Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam (KNMT) |
| Launched By | Tamil Nadu Government, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department |
| Nodal Agency | Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation (Tufidco) |
| Coverage | 121 Municipalities and 528 Town Panchayats |
| Total Works Undertaken | ₹4,132 crore (since launch) |
| Budget Allocation (2025-26) | ₹2,000 crore |
| Official Website | tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/knmt |
FAQ's
What is Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam?
It is an urban infrastructure scheme of Tamil Nadu government that covers water supply, roads, streetlights and community infrastructure in municipalities and town panchayats across the state.
Which areas does KNMT scheme cover?
Scheme covers 121 municipalities and 528 town panchayats in Tamil Nadu, apart from the corporations and towns already covered under Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT.
How much money has been allocated for KNMT scheme?
Works worth ₹4,132 crore have been taken up under KNMT since launch, and Tamil Nadu government allocated another ₹2,000 crore in the 2025-26 state budget to complete sanctioned works.
Who is the nodal agency for KNMT scheme?
Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (Tufidco) is the nodal agency that reviews and approves KNMT project proposals.
Is KNMT scheme still active?
Yes, KNMT scheme is still active. Tamil Nadu government continues to allocate fresh budget for the scheme every year to complete pending infrastructure works in municipalities and town panchayats.
Where can people check KNMT scheme details online?
KNMT scheme details, guidelines and government orders are available on official website tnurbantree.tn.gov.in/knmt/, run by Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.