Enhance infrastructure in districts: CII study

Along with the speedy implementation of Sethusamudram Project, the government should also take up the speedy implementation of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project at Tuticorin to exploit the emerging opportunities in exports, logistics and service oriented industries that were bound to have tremendous scope in the district, a CII study said.

        According to the recent study conducted by the CII on 'Industrialisation of Southern Districts in Tamilnadu, 'The creation of a hub port would encourage the development of hinterland, service industries and enhance the competitiveness of export-oriented industries by reducing the cost of imports.'

        The Tuticorin Port, which has been growing at over 6 per cent in the past 9 years, should speed-up the completion of the projects including the optimisation of the inner harbour of the port by deepening it, construction of a north cargo berth to handle bulk cargo and development of a limited outer harbour, the study pointed out.

        Tuticorin, along with Madurai as a manufacturing hub, has the necessary advantages to become the driver for the economic growth of the southern districts. 'Announcement of several port infrastructure projects has been assisting the setting up of several export-oriented units and service industries such as freight and forwarding, transport, shipping, ship repair, cruise tourism, among others,' the CII study stated.

        The promotion of the Tuticorin Port could act as the hub for export oriented units with satellites in Madurai, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts. 'The infrastructure development at the Tuticorin district can result in industrialisation and employment generation in the southern districts, thus arresting the migration of people to Chennai and other cities in need for employment and business opportunities,' the survey explained.

        With the country wanting to double its power generation capacity by 2012, Tuticorin could be best suited for developing thermal power stations using coal. Leveraging its natural resources, the district could have a large number of copper units, medium and small industries in salt and marine products minerals (Ilmenite, garnet, etc) and dry flowers export.

'There are opportunities in the cruise tourism sector, as the port together with places of tourism interests in nearby districts offer much scope for tourism business. Even, airlines have an opportunity to operate flights to Tuticorin airport.' The study also pointed to the need for the city to have a functioning airport, double line railway track and sufficient train services to avoid a perception of remoteness. The civic infrastructure at Tuticorin city has to be enhanced to encourage outside investment and attract and retain talent, especially at the more senior levels in industry.

        On the connectivity front, it should be examined whether the airport can be made economically operational. There is also a need for improving railway services to the town and the city should be connected by 6-8-lane highways to Madurai and Chennai. Also, the East Coast Road extension to Tuticorin should be taken up and completed on fast track.

        Even though the district is slightly ahead when compared to the rest of the State in per capita income, it is behind the State average in employment, mainly because of lack of opportunities in agriculture and investment in service sector, export oriented industries and manufacturing industry.

        The government should enhance the industry potential and study the product synergies in the existing chemical industries so that new units may be set up in the area, the study emphasised. Further, the government should address the problems faced by the salt industry, which provided large employment.

        The growth potential of the dry flower industry should be studied and the Pudiamputhur garment industry can be developed as a major cluster under the cluster development programmes of the government. 'The government may also examine the merits of liberalising the exploitation of beach sand minerals to encourage ilmenite and garnet industry,' the study added.