PLAN FOR INDUSTRIAL BOOST TAKES SOUTH ROUTE

13 Industrial parks, Chennai-Kanniyakumari corridor, desalination plant at Thoothukudi and mega food park in Tirunelveli announced

CHENNAI: To promote balanced industrial growth, state government has shifted its focus on industrial development in the southern districts by establishing industrial estates, industrial corridors and desalination plants for industries.

“Nearly, 13 industrial parks are being established over an extent of 16,725 acres including six southern districts of Ramanathapuram, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli. Among them, the land acquisition for industrial park in Ramanathapuram has been completed,” said Finance Minister Panneerselvam in his budget presentation.

SIPCOT has developed 23 industrial complexes, including seven special economic zones spread over 33,775 acres. SIPCOT has allocated lands for 2,631 industrial units with a total investment of Rs 1.14 lakh crore and employment of Rs 6.48 lakh persons. Nearly, 4,457 acres of land is available for immediate allotment.

Panneerselvam also said that SIPCOT will establish desalination plant to meet water requirement of industries in southern districts. “60 Million Litres per Day (MLD) desalination plant will be setup by SIPCOT to meet the water requirements of industries in and around Thoothukudi industrial park at an estimated cost of Rs 634 crore,” said Panneerselvam.

The state government has also approved the establishment of mega food park in an area of 53.36 acres in Gangaikondan, in Tirunelveli district at a cost of Rs 77.94 crore. Eight more agro processing clusters at a cost of Rs 218 crore are proposed to be established in eight districts, including three districts of Theni, Dindigul and Madurai.

Government has also proposed to setup food parks in seven other districts, including two southern districts of Ramanathapuram and Tenkasi at a total cost of Rs 70 crore.

Apart from small scale industries, state government is focussed on industrial corridors to bring industrial development. “Chennai-Kanniyakumari industrial corridor will be implemented in partnership with the Asian Development Bank as a second phase of the East Coast Economic Corridor,” said Panneerselvam.

The state government is also focussing on developing tourism in the southern districts. Apart from Mahabalipuram, a special package at a cost of Rs 9.8 crore is being prepared for upgrading facilities in Rameswaram.

The state will avail assistance from Centre for the state tourism project.