Minister Pushes for Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram industrial Corridor with Centre

Industries, investment promotion and commerce minister S. Keerthana raised the two key demands at the third meeting of the apex monitoring authority of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (Nicdit), chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Monday.

Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and senior officials from the Central and state governments participated.

Keerthana urged the Union government to consider the proposed Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram corridor and initiate the necessary feasibility and alignment studies. The proposed corridor is envisaged as a means for strengthening industrial connectivity between major industrial centres, facilitating regional economic development and creating greater opportunities for manufacturing, investment and employment.

During the discussions, Nirmala Sitharaman recalled that a proposal for a Chennai–Thoothukudi industrial corridor had been made in 2014. She observed that, despite follow-ups from the Centre, the proposal had not subsequently received the required level of focus from successive Tamil Nadu governments.

Keerthana assured the Union government that Tamil Nadu would submit a formal representation to the finance ministry and the ministry of commerce and industry, seeking consideration of the Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram corridor and the commencement of the required studies.

The meeting also provided Tamil Nadu an opportunity to seek Central support for its seven proposals submitted in the first round of Bhavya, the Central sector scheme aimed at developing investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks.

Goyal indicated that a fair proportion of Tamil Nadu’s proposals will be considered, subject to their compliance with the prescribed Bhavya guidelines, eligibility criteria and other conditions.

The assurance assumes importance as Tamil Nadu seeks to expand its industrial infrastructure and attract investments by offering developed industrial locations with essential infrastructure already in place.

The state government said it would accord priority to the seven proposals and ensure timely completion of all required compliances and submissions.

The demands were raised at a meeting that reviewed the progress of industrial corridor projects across the country and discussed measures to accelerate industrial infrastructure, connectivity and investments.

For Tamil Nadu, stronger industrial corridor connectivity is particularly significant given its diversified manufacturing base, which includes automobiles and auto components, electronics, engineering, textiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, among other sectors. The state has also been seeking to expand industrial development beyond established clusters and create new investment destinations.

Industrial corridors are intended to integrate manufacturing clusters with transport, logistics, utilities and other supporting infrastructure, reducing logistical constraints and making industrial locations more attractive to investors.

A Chennai–Thiruvananthapuram corridor could potentially strengthen economic linkages between Tamil Nadu and Kerala while connecting industrial centres and emerging investment destinations in the southern region. However, its feasibility, alignment and implementation would depend on detailed studies and subsequent approval by the Centre.

The state government reiterated its commitment to working with the Centre to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s industrial ecosystem, improve inter-state connectivity and create an enabling environment for new investments and employment.

The government also said it would continue to pursue strategic industrial infrastructure projects and make full use of Central schemes and institutional mechanisms to accelerate industrial growth.