Monday, July 27, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Dixon Technologies to launch Tamil Nadu manufactur...
writingonblog uncensored: Dixon Technologies to launch Tamil Nadu manufactur...: CHENNAI: Dixon Technologies, one of India's largest contract electronics manufacturers, will establish a Centre of Excellence in Tamil...
Dixon Technologies to launch Tamil Nadu manufacturing research centre
CHENNAI:
Dixon Technologies, one of India's largest contract electronics manufacturers, will establish a Centre of Excellence in Tamil Nadu dedicated to Industry 5.0 research and workforce training, according to a top Guidance official.
This comes after Dixon's Vice-Chairman Prithvi Vachani and Josh Foulger, chairman of the company's IT hardware and new projects division, met Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay to discuss the proposal, the official added.
The centre will focus on smart manufacturing, localised product development and applied research conducted jointly with academic institutions, a top Guidance Department official told TNIE.
The official said over the next five years, the CoE aims to accelerate smart manufacturing and localised product development, undertake more than 20 joint applied research projects, target 50 patent filings, and develop over 150 industry-ready ME engineers.
To a query on whether this is part of the earlier announcement of Dixon made during April last year, the official said this is a new announcement and further details will emerge later.
Dixon Technologies last year announced to establish a new electronics manufacturing facility at the Oragadam Industrial Park in Tamil Nadu’s Kanchipuram district with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore ($ 120 million), which is expected to generate around 5,000 jobs. The investment underscores the state’s growing prominence as a hardware production hub and this will support the production of laptops and all-in-one PCs.
The initiative signals continuity in that push under the new administration, with Dixon framing the centre as a vehicle for deeper industry-academia collaboration rather than a standalone facility.
writingonblog uncensored: PM e-Bus Sewa snub weakens Tamil Nadu's metro case...
writingonblog uncensored: PM e-Bus Sewa snub weakens Tamil Nadu's metro case...: Centre rejects revised proposals for Coimbatore, Madurai Metro projects C Shivakumar @ Chennai: The Union housing ministry has rebuffed T...
PM e-Bus Sewa snub weakens Tamil Nadu's metro case, Centre says
The Union housing ministry has again rejected Tamil Nadu's attempt to revive metro rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, dismissing the state's arguments on ridership, travel-time savings and population thresholds in a detailed rebuttal that leaves both projects in limbo.
The rejection is the second issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). While an earlier appraisal, before Tamil Nadu submitted its rebuttal in May, argued that both cities fell short of the two-million population benchmark under the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, the ministry's latest assessment responds point by point to Chennai Metro Rail Ltd's (CMRL) counter-arguments and introduces a fresh objection.
In a July 22 letter to the state's chief secretary, MoHUA said Tamil Nadu's decision not to participate in the Centre's PM e-Bus Sewa scheme has deprived Coimbatore and Madurai of the feeder bus networks needed to generate viable metro ridership. It disputed almost every technical justification advanced by CMRL, arguing that the detailed project reports overstate the case for elevated metro rail over less expensive bus-based alternatives.
At the heart of the dispute is whether Tamil Nadu's second- and third-largest cities generate sufficient demand and travel-time savings to justify metro systems, or whether upgraded bus rapid transit systems (BRTS) could deliver similar benefits at a fraction of the cost.
The ministry rejected CMRL's estimate that a metro would reduce a 7.5-km peak-hour journey by eight minutes, or 35%, compared with road transport. Once walking time to stations, waiting time and access at the destination are included, it said, "there will be hardly any savings in time by metro". It added that significant time and cost savings generally influence commuters only on trips exceeding 15 km, well above the average journey lengths cited by CMRL for both cities.
A senior government official said the ministry's position reflects lessons from smaller cities where metro systems have struggled to attract passengers. Journey times in such cities are already relatively short, the official said, and once commuters account for the time spent reaching elevated stations and exiting them at the destination, the overall time advantage over road transport largely disappears. That has contributed to weak ridership in cities such as Indore and explains the Centre's increasing reluctance to approve metro systems for smaller urban centres.
MoHUA was equally unconvinced by CMRL's ridership projections. It noted that the state had projected higher patronage for Coimbatore's comparatively short corridor than for Chennai's much larger metro network while acknowledging that the city's bus system remains underdeveloped. A metro without adequate feeder buses and last-mile connectivity "cannot fetch ridership", the ministry said.
The ministry repeatedly linked this weakness to Tamil Nadu's decision not to join the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, arguing that the programme could have strengthened bus fleets in Coimbatore and Madurai and provided the feeder services essential for metro operations.
On population, MoHUA rejected the state's reliance on 2022 planning estimates of 2.97 million for Coimbatore and 2.915 million for Madurai to satisfy the Metro Rail Policy's eligibility criteria. The ministry said the 2011 Census remains the appropriate benchmark, under which Coimbatore Municipal Corporation has a population of only 1.584 million. Much of the wider local planning area population, it argued, is unlikely to use a metro network largely confined to the corporation limits.
The ministry also highlighted implementation risks. It noted that the state had acknowledged right of way of less than 20 metres along sections of the proposed Coimbatore corridors, implying substantial demolition during construction. It also pointed to Chennai Metro as a cautionary example: Phase I, sanctioned in 2009, took a decade to complete, while Phase II, launched in 2020, has achieved only 54.62% physical progress.
MoHUA stressed that it had no objection in principle to either at-grade or elevated BRTS and reiterated that population alone is not the sole criterion for metro approval. However, after examining the proposals in their entirety, it said both DPRs had been returned.
Tamil Nadu renewed its push for the projects earlier this year after then chief minister M.K. Stalin wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reconsideration of the Centre's earlier rejection. The issue also figured during Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay's review of metro rail projects on July 22.
Shreya Gadepalli, an urban mobility expert, said evidence from Indian cities suggests metro rail has not adequately addressed mobility needs in many tier-two cities.
"A small metro network may look impressive, but it is expensive to build and does not provide the extensive connectivity most urban residents require," she said. "A high-quality bus system with a large fleet of air-conditioned buses costs a fraction of a metro while serving every part of the city. Combined with dedicated bus lanes through congested stretches, it can deliver fast and reliable services comparable to metro rail."
She said Coimbatore should aspire to a "triple-five" bus network, enabling residents to walk to a bus stop within five minutes, wait no more than five minutes for a bus and complete their journey with minimal delay.
Factfile:1. MoHUA says metro's 8-minute edge over road claimed by CMRL vanishes once station access/egress and waiting time are counted in
2. Ministry cites underdeveloped city bus networks in Coimbatore and Madurai as a barrier to metro ridership — echoing Indore's experience, per official sources
3. Tamil Nadu's non-participation in the Centre's PM e-Bus Sewa scheme flagged repeatedly as a missed chance to fix last-mile connectivity
4. MoHUA rejects 2022 projections (Coimbatore: 29.7 lakh; Madurai: 29.15 lakh), says 2011 Census remains the valid base — puts Coimbatore's core city population at just 15.84 lakh
5. Chennai Metro cited as cautionary benchmark — Phase I took 10 years (2009-19); Phase II, launched 2020, only 54.62% complete
6. Both DPRs "returned after examining the proposal in entirety"; MoHUA open to BRTS instead, signalling no new metro sanctions for smaller cities
Thursday, July 23, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Supreme Court summons Tamil Nadu bureaucrat as Che...
writingonblog uncensored: Supreme Court summons Tamil Nadu bureaucrat as Che...: C Shivakumar @ Chennai: The Supreme Court has ordered a senior Tamil Nadu bureaucrat to appear before it next month to explain why proceed...
Supreme Court summons Tamil Nadu bureaucrat as Chennai's illegal construction case widens into nationwide review
C Shivakumar @ Chennai:
The
Supreme Court has ordered a senior Tamil Nadu bureaucrat to appear
before it next month to explain why proceedings should not be initiated
against her over an affidavit the bench said appeared designed to
protect, rather than investigate, an illegally constructed building, as
it expanded the case into a nationwide review of planning law
enforcement.
In a sharply worded order, a bench of Justices
Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan directed Kakarla Usha, then
Secretary in Tamil Nadu's Housing and Urban Development Department, to
file a written explanation and remain personally present at the next
hearing on August 4, 2026. The judges described her affidavit as
"shocking", saying it reflected a "blatant disregard for the rule of
law" and amounted to a "bold attempt to shield" Loganathan, whose
special leave petition against the State of Tamil Nadu had already been
dismissed by the court on February 16.
The bench also directed
every state and union territory to file fresh affidavits, personally
sworn by senior officials, detailing action taken against illegal
construction and unauthorised land-use changes. It warned that officials
who fail to comply with its directions or remain absent from future
hearings could face contempt proceedings.
The proceedings stem
from a petition filed by Loganathan challenging action taken against an
unauthorised building in Chennai. While dismissing the petition in
February, the Supreme Court noted that the petitioner had constructed a
ground-plus-one building without any sanctioned plan, observing that
such a structure could not have come up without the "collusion and
connivance" of municipal officials. It directed the Tamil Nadu
government to investigate the lapse and asked the Commissioner of the
Greater Chennai Corporation to explain, through a personally sworn
affidavit, how the violation had gone unchecked.
The
Commissioner's response said the property was under the jurisdiction of
the erstwhile Madhavaram Municipality when the construction took place
rather than the Greater Chennai Corporation, an explanation the bench
said it would keep "in abeyance".
The court was even more
critical of a March 22, 2024 order issued by the Additional Secretary
(Technical) in the Housing and Urban Development Department directing
that no coercive action be taken against the violators despite a Madras
High Court direction that the matter be dealt with strictly in
accordance with law. Saying it was "unable to comprehend" how such an
order could have been passed in the face of an admitted violation, the
bench directed the state to identify the officer responsible and explain
the decision.
Concluding that the Chennai case reflected a wider
pattern of weak enforcement, the Supreme Court in March expanded the
proceedings into a nationwide examination of illegal construction and
misuse of residential properties for commercial purposes. It impleaded
municipal corporations in every state and union territory capital, along
with the Tamil Nadu government through its Chief Secretary, and
appointed senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha as amicus curiae. Civic
bodies were directed to audit their jurisdictions and submit reports
identifying unauthorised commercial use of residential properties.
When
the matter returned in May, Sinha told the court that only three states
had filed affidavits and none had adequately detailed follow-up
enforcement action. Referring to Delhi's Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini
Nagar, he said buildings approved for two storeys had been expanded far
beyond sanctioned plans, posing serious structural risks.
Rejecting
arguments that mixed-use provisions under Delhi's Master Plan justified
such deviations, the bench ruled that changing the approved use of a
building after obtaining sanction amounted to "nothing short of a fraud
on the system". It added that the failure of civic authorities to act
could indicate "tacit collusion and connivance" with violators. The
court also impleaded Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
secretary.
The judges reserved their strongest criticism for
Usha's subsequent affidavit, saying it appeared "more in defence of the
petitioner than reflective of the objective and responsible position
expected from a senior public officer". They noted that despite the
dismissal of the petition and the lifting of all interim protection in
February, the unauthorised structure remained standing more than three
months later, a circumstance that "prima facie suggests connivance". The
court directed Tamil Nadu's counsel to immediately communicate its
order requiring Usha's personal appearance and written explanation at
the next hearing.
The state housing department could not be reached
on what kind of action being initiated by the state against following
the Supreme Court's observation on illegal construction and misuse of
residential properties for commercial purposes.
Monday, July 20, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Taiwan's Investment Map Expands Beyond Chennai
writingonblog uncensored: Taiwan's Investment Map Expands Beyond Chennai: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Taiwanese investors are looking beyond Chennai and Sriperumbudur's established industrial belt, with souther...
Taiwan's Investment Map Expands Beyond Chennai
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Taiwanese investors are looking beyond Chennai and Sriperumbudur's established industrial belt, with southern Tamil Nadu emerging as a potential destination for the state's next phase of manufacturing expansion.
An eight-member Taiwan delegation that toured Tirunelveli SIPCOT and VOC Port in Thoothukudi earlier this June concluded that the region's logistics capacity has made it a potential site for the state's next wave of manufacturing clusters, particularly in green energy, electronics and electric vehicles, said Stephen S. C. Hsu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai in an interview with The New Indian Express. Hsu, who has recently marked his first year in Chennai, described the recent visit mainly as “a fact-finding trip”.
The trip to the south reflects a wider recalibration of how Taiwanese enterprises view Tamil Nadu — less as a manufacturing destination and more as a strategic partner for high-tech investment. While footwear, textiles, machinery and electronics assembly remain established strengths in the north, investor appetite has shifted toward advanced manufacturing, semiconductor supply-chain components, EVs and green-energy infrastructure, Hsu said.
The southward pivot comes as bilateral trade accelerates. Taiwan-India trade volume reached 10.6 billion USD in 2024 and rose to a record 12.5 billion USD in 2025; from January this year till now, bilateral trade volumes have grown 30 per cent year-on-year, Hsu said. Over the next three to five years, TECC in Chennai expects fresh capital inflows as mid-tier technology suppliers relocate, generating high-skilled roles for local engineering graduates.
Tamil Nadu's pitch to investors rests on what Hsu termed a "holy trinity" of ports, industrial parks and workforce: direct maritime connectivity through Chennai Port and VOC Port cuts supply-chain transit times and cost, while SIPCOT's purpose-built infrastructure and a skilled labour pool round out the offer. Combined with a mature industrial ecosystem and supportive state policy, these give Tamil Nadu an edge over competing states, Hsu said. He highlighted his vision for the next decade- “Design from Taiwan, Make in Tamil Nadu”.
Keen to woo Taiwanese investments to Tamil Nadu, the director general looks forward to the meeting with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay along with Taiwan Chamber of Commerce soon. Highlighting the role played by Taiwan, he said there are more than 300 Taiwanese companies in India, and 75% are located in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with the accumulated investment amount of 5.7 billion USD, and generating 214,000 jobs in India over the years, he said.
Challenges remain largely cultural rather than structural, centred on differences in working culture and operational practices between Taiwanese firms and local partners, according to Hsu.
A tripartite memorandum of understanding between the Chennai Institute of Technology, Taiwan's National Formosa University and industry group AGEM aims to build advanced semiconductor research capacity, with the goal of training local engineering students into global design engineers — a cohort Hsu called "ambassadors of innovation" in the Taiwan-India relationship.
To deepen the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, the state should offer targeted incentives addressing what deep-tech investors need most: reliable water and power supply, a complete component supply chain, and high-skilled engineering talent, Hsu said.
TECC in Chennai is pushing for single-window regulatory clearances tailored to foreign SMEs, ready-built factory sheds within industrial parks, and tax waivers for the first 24 months of operation — measures it says would draw smaller Taiwanese suppliers into the state.
Hsu framed the relationship in geopolitical terms, describing Taiwan's New Southbound Policy as complementary to India's Act East Policy, and calling the current period of global supply-chain restructuring "a golden time" for Taiwanese firms considering a shift to India.
"Tamil Nadu is no longer just a potential destination; it is a proven launchpad for success," Hsu said, adding that the TECC in Chennai remains committed to working closely with the state government to guide Taiwanese companies "every step of the way."
Taiwanese investors are looking beyond Chennai and Sriperumbudur's established industrial belt, with southern Tamil Nadu emerging as a potential destination for the state's next phase of manufacturing expansion.
An eight-member Taiwan delegation that toured Tirunelveli SIPCOT and VOC Port in Thoothukudi earlier this June concluded that the region's logistics capacity has made it a potential site for the state's next wave of manufacturing clusters, particularly in green energy, electronics and electric vehicles, said Stephen S. C. Hsu, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in Chennai in an interview with The New Indian Express. Hsu, who has recently marked his first year in Chennai, described the recent visit mainly as “a fact-finding trip”.
The trip to the south reflects a wider recalibration of how Taiwanese enterprises view Tamil Nadu — less as a manufacturing destination and more as a strategic partner for high-tech investment. While footwear, textiles, machinery and electronics assembly remain established strengths in the north, investor appetite has shifted toward advanced manufacturing, semiconductor supply-chain components, EVs and green-energy infrastructure, Hsu said.
The southward pivot comes as bilateral trade accelerates. Taiwan-India trade volume reached 10.6 billion USD in 2024 and rose to a record 12.5 billion USD in 2025; from January this year till now, bilateral trade volumes have grown 30 per cent year-on-year, Hsu said. Over the next three to five years, TECC in Chennai expects fresh capital inflows as mid-tier technology suppliers relocate, generating high-skilled roles for local engineering graduates.
Tamil Nadu's pitch to investors rests on what Hsu termed a "holy trinity" of ports, industrial parks and workforce: direct maritime connectivity through Chennai Port and VOC Port cuts supply-chain transit times and cost, while SIPCOT's purpose-built infrastructure and a skilled labour pool round out the offer. Combined with a mature industrial ecosystem and supportive state policy, these give Tamil Nadu an edge over competing states, Hsu said. He highlighted his vision for the next decade- “Design from Taiwan, Make in Tamil Nadu”.
Keen to woo Taiwanese investments to Tamil Nadu, the director general looks forward to the meeting with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay along with Taiwan Chamber of Commerce soon. Highlighting the role played by Taiwan, he said there are more than 300 Taiwanese companies in India, and 75% are located in South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with the accumulated investment amount of 5.7 billion USD, and generating 214,000 jobs in India over the years, he said.
Challenges remain largely cultural rather than structural, centred on differences in working culture and operational practices between Taiwanese firms and local partners, according to Hsu.
A tripartite memorandum of understanding between the Chennai Institute of Technology, Taiwan's National Formosa University and industry group AGEM aims to build advanced semiconductor research capacity, with the goal of training local engineering students into global design engineers — a cohort Hsu called "ambassadors of innovation" in the Taiwan-India relationship.
To deepen the semiconductor and electronics ecosystem, the state should offer targeted incentives addressing what deep-tech investors need most: reliable water and power supply, a complete component supply chain, and high-skilled engineering talent, Hsu said.
TECC in Chennai is pushing for single-window regulatory clearances tailored to foreign SMEs, ready-built factory sheds within industrial parks, and tax waivers for the first 24 months of operation — measures it says would draw smaller Taiwanese suppliers into the state.
Hsu framed the relationship in geopolitical terms, describing Taiwan's New Southbound Policy as complementary to India's Act East Policy, and calling the current period of global supply-chain restructuring "a golden time" for Taiwanese firms considering a shift to India.
"Tamil Nadu is no longer just a potential destination; it is a proven launchpad for success," Hsu said, adding that the TECC in Chennai remains committed to working closely with the state government to guide Taiwanese companies "every step of the way."
writingonblog uncensored: Fishers say Chennai reservoir plan ignored Bay of ...
writingonblog uncensored: Fishers say Chennai reservoir plan ignored Bay of ...: CHENNAI: Fishing communities in the Kovalam sub-basin have accused Tamil Nadu's Water Resources Department (WRD) and IIT-Madras of overl...
Fishers say Chennai reservoir plan ignored Bay of Bengal storm-surge risk
CHENNAI:
Fishing communities in the Kovalam sub-basin have accused Tamil Nadu's Water Resources Department (WRD) and IIT-Madras of overlooking Bay of Bengal storm-surge dynamics in planning the Mamallan reservoir, a freshwater project proposed on the Uppankazhi salt marsh to supply Chennai.
Government-commissioned coastal inundation maps, prepared for an assumed 1.63-metre tidal surge under severe sea conditions, show that most of the proposed reservoir site would be submerged under 3.5 to 4.5 metres of seawater during a storm event — a scenario fishers say neither agency has assessed.
"We don't need a report to tell us what the sea does here," said R. Narayanan, a fisher from Kovalam. "Every spring tide, every monsoon, we watch this land become part of the sea. The bunds they are planning are not going to stop that."
The IIT-Madras technical evaluation, submitted to justify the project's exemption from the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, accounts only for freshwater inflows from the western catchment, treating the sea as an outlet for surplus water rather than a source of risk. It recommends direct outlets from the reservoir to the ocean — infrastructure that fishers warn could function as inlets for seawater during a surge.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Vishvaja Sambath of the Chennai Climate Action Group argued that the omission undermines the project's regulatory basis. "If the sea overtops the bunds, and it most likely will, then there is no freshwater reservoir left — only a great salt lake," she said. "If they have not studied the sea and tidal dynamics, then the CRZ clearance they have obtained is baseless and invalid."
K.V. Sudhakar, president of the Madras Naturalists Society, called on the state government to abandon the project, citing the marsh's ecological value. He said the site supports more than 135 dry-season species, including migratory birds, subcontinent endemics, IUCN Red List species, and those listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Campaigners further warned that enclosing the marsh would remove 4,375 acres of natural flood-holding capacity from the sub-basin, increasing seawater flood exposure for Thaiyur, Kelambakkam, Thiruvidanthai, Padur, Pattipulam, Saluvankuppam and Mamallapuram — all densely populated settlements along the coast.
The claims were raised at a press briefing organised by Save Nemmeli Marshlands.
Fishing communities in the Kovalam sub-basin have accused Tamil Nadu's Water Resources Department (WRD) and IIT-Madras of overlooking Bay of Bengal storm-surge dynamics in planning the Mamallan reservoir, a freshwater project proposed on the Uppankazhi salt marsh to supply Chennai.
Government-commissioned coastal inundation maps, prepared for an assumed 1.63-metre tidal surge under severe sea conditions, show that most of the proposed reservoir site would be submerged under 3.5 to 4.5 metres of seawater during a storm event — a scenario fishers say neither agency has assessed.
"We don't need a report to tell us what the sea does here," said R. Narayanan, a fisher from Kovalam. "Every spring tide, every monsoon, we watch this land become part of the sea. The bunds they are planning are not going to stop that."
The IIT-Madras technical evaluation, submitted to justify the project's exemption from the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, accounts only for freshwater inflows from the western catchment, treating the sea as an outlet for surplus water rather than a source of risk. It recommends direct outlets from the reservoir to the ocean — infrastructure that fishers warn could function as inlets for seawater during a surge.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Vishvaja Sambath of the Chennai Climate Action Group argued that the omission undermines the project's regulatory basis. "If the sea overtops the bunds, and it most likely will, then there is no freshwater reservoir left — only a great salt lake," she said. "If they have not studied the sea and tidal dynamics, then the CRZ clearance they have obtained is baseless and invalid."
K.V. Sudhakar, president of the Madras Naturalists Society, called on the state government to abandon the project, citing the marsh's ecological value. He said the site supports more than 135 dry-season species, including migratory birds, subcontinent endemics, IUCN Red List species, and those listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Campaigners further warned that enclosing the marsh would remove 4,375 acres of natural flood-holding capacity from the sub-basin, increasing seawater flood exposure for Thaiyur, Kelambakkam, Thiruvidanthai, Padur, Pattipulam, Saluvankuppam and Mamallapuram — all densely populated settlements along the coast.
The claims were raised at a press briefing organised by Save Nemmeli Marshlands.
Friday, July 17, 2026
Delta Electronics Plans Greenfield Data Centre
CHENNAI:
Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Delta Electronics has proposed a new testing and validation centre at its Krishnagiri campus in Tamil Nadu, as part of a broader push to expand its footprint in the state's energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Benjamin Lin, President of Delta Electronics India, and Niranjan Nayak, the unit's Managing Director, met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Friday to outline the plan and thank the state government for its support of the company's existing operations.
Delta already runs a large manufacturing facility in Krishnagiri, where an expansion is under consideration alongside the proposed greenfield project. The new facility, to be named ARIVAM — an acronym for AI Data Centre, Renewables, Integrated Micro Grid Solutions, Validated Engineering and Management Centre — would focus on the design, engineering, manufacturing and lifecycle management of sustainable AI data centres, renewable energy systems and integrated microgrids.
The company has asked to work with the state government across three areas: energy infrastructure and storage, AI data centre infrastructure, and smart manufacturing and industrial automation. The Chief Minister assured Delta of continued backing under the new administration.
The proposal builds on Delta's existing Krishnagiri campus, which the company positions as a reference site for Industry 4.0 manufacturing practices and a demonstration centre for advanced automation, a release stated.
Tamil Nadu forms panel, gives one-week deadline to probe disputed registration of Palani temple's land
Chennai:
Tamil Nadu's Commercial Taxes, Registration and Religious Endowments Department has formed a three-member inquiry committee and ordered it to submit its findings within a week, after a Palani Sub-Registrar registered 1.35 acres belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamigal Madam despite a statutory bar on doing so.
The panel — the Additional Inspector General of Registration (Stamps & Registration), the Assistant Inspector General of Registration (Vigilance) and the District Registrar (Administration) of Namakkal — must establish how the registration went through.
Its brief requires inspecting all records at the Sub-Registrar's and District Registrar's offices, reviewing video footage of the registration process itself, identifying any officials responsible, and recommending safeguards against a repeat — all within a week, an unusually tight timeline for a government probe.
The land, in Palani's third ward, was conveyed by an individual with no title to the property but who claimed authority under a will. A Sub-Registrar in Palani first refused to register the deed on April 1, citing a pending civil dispute — a refusal the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court quashed nine days later, ruling that a civil suit alone cannot justify denying registration unless a court has separately restrained the registering authority.
Acting on that order, the executant resubmitted the document on July 3. It was held pending initially, then registered three days later, on July 6, by a different Sub-Registrar on incharge duty that day — even as a writ appeal against the original High Court order remained undecided, and despite a letter four days earlier from the Joint Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) flagging the land as temple property.
Officials say that is where the statutory breach occurred. Section 22-A(1)(ii) of the Registration Act, 1908 requires registering officers to refuse any instrument transferring property belonging to an institution governed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, unless the transfer carries prior sanction from a competent authority. The Inspector General of Registration told the government that HR&CE had already confirmed the land's status before the deed was registered.
The GO was issued by J Kumaragurubaran, Secretary to Government, on Thursday.
writingonblog uncensored: TN resolves stamp duty ambiguity for restructured ...
writingonblog uncensored: TN resolves stamp duty ambiguity for restructured ...: CHENNAI: The Inspector General of Registration, Tamil Nadu, has resolved a lingering ambiguity over whether a decade-old stamp duty exemptio...
TN resolves stamp duty ambiguity for restructured power utilities
CHENNAI:
The Inspector General of Registration, Tamil Nadu, has resolved a lingering ambiguity over whether a decade-old stamp duty exemption applies to the successor entities of the state's power distribution utility, following its 2024 restructuring.
A circular issued on Wednesday confirms that Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TNPDCL) and Tamil Nadu Power Generation Corporation Limited (TNPGCL) will retain the exemption, invoking Section 8G of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, which waives stamp duty on property transfers by government entities in cases of strategic sales, disinvestment, demergers or liquidation.
The exemption traces back to a 2012 government order that waived stamp duty and registration fees on gift deeds through which private developers, typically applicants for group housing or commercial complex approvals, transfer land to the utility for building electricity substations. That order applied specifically to Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO), the entity's name before restructuring.
The ambiguity arose after TANGEDCO's corporate split, notified in the Tamil Nadu government gazette in August 2024, under which the utility was trifurcated into wholly owned subsidiaries of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board Ltd. TNPDCL took over the renamed distribution, billing and customer support functions, while TNPGCL was carved out to handle fossil-fuel and gas-based power generation. With TANGEDCO's original legal identity dissolved, registering officers had no explicit guidance on whether gift deeds in favour of the new entities still qualified for the tax concession.
The circular settles the question. It notes that TNPDCL and TNPGCL were formally declared "government companies" under the Companies Act, 2013, via a gazette notification in March 2024 — a status that underpins their continued eligibility for the exemption under Section 8G.
The office of the Inspector General has directed all district registrars and sub-registrars across the state to apply the updated guidance when processing gift deed registrations in favour of the two companies.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu's elderly population to nearly double b...
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu's elderly population to nearly double b...: Expert suggests strengthening revenues, improve expenditure efficiency C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu's rapid demographic transiti...
Tamil Nadu's elderly population to nearly double by 2031, raising fiscal concerns
Expert suggests strengthening revenues, improve expenditure efficiency
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu's rapid demographic transition is emerging as one of the state's biggest long-term fiscal challenges, with the share of elderly citizens projected to nearly double over the next decade even as public finances remain under pressure, according to a government white paper released by the state.
The population aged 60 and above is expected to rise from 10.6 per cent in 2011 to 18.2 per cent by 2031 — a 71.7 percent increase, the steepest among comparable large states. Kerala, long regarded as India's demographic frontrunner, is projected to record a slower increase of 64.6 per cent, while the national average stands at 56 per cent.
The figures point to what economists describe as a "scissors effect". As the working-age population begins to shrink, growth in tax revenues slows. The two trends move in opposite directions, steadily widening the gap between revenue growth and expenditure commitments.
The white paper states that Tamil Nadu's challenge is, in many ways, the consequence of its own developmental success. Fertility rates fell faster than in most Indian states, life expectancy rose sharply, and the state enjoyed decades of economic gains from a large working-age population. Tamil Nadu's median age has now reached 34.25 years, nearly a decade higher than that of Uttar Pradesh.
The state's working-age population peaked at around 66.4 per cent in 2021 and is projected to decline to 63.6 per cent by 2036. Over the same period, the old-age dependency ratio — the number of elderly people for every 100 working-age adults — is expected to rise from 20.6 to 32.7, one of the sharpest increases among Indian states.
"Ageing is a cause for concern," said K Shanmugham, economist and former director of the Madras School of Economics. This would result in the state spending a lot of money on welfare measures for elderly and the funds need to be increased. He also highlighted the lack of updated data since the 2011 census.
"For decades, Tamil Nadu benefited from a demographic dividend, with a large and expanding workforce supporting economic growth, tax revenues and consumption," said former bureaucrat Chandra Kant Kamble. "As populations age, fiscal priorities inevitably shift. Pension obligations rise, healthcare spending increases, and governments must invest more in chronic disease management, geriatric care and long-term social support. At the same time, the growth of the working-age population slows, limiting the expansion of the tax base."
The white paper cites international experience, including that of Japan and Canada, to illustrate how healthcare and social security costs accelerate as populations age. What makes Tamil Nadu vulnerable is the speed of this demographic transition against a backdrop of already strained public finances.
While the white paper does not prescribe specific remedies, Kamble said the fiscal impact of ageing will emerge gradually, giving Tamil Nadu a limited opportunity to act before demographic pressures intensify. The state's economic dynamism, industrial strength and relatively robust revenue mobilisation provide a foundation for undertaking structural reforms from a position of strength.
He stressed that the challenge is not welfare spending itself, but ensuring that expanding commitments remain sustainable. As the elderly population grows, the government will need to strengthen revenues, improve expenditure efficiency and periodically assess the effectiveness of welfare programmes. Such measures, he said, can help bridge the gap between rising age-related spending and mounting debt obligations.
EOM
Saturday, June 27, 2026
India's fast breeder reactor moves closer to feeding power into the grid
CHENNAI:
India's ambitious fast breeder nuclear programme has moved closer to producing electricity, with Atomic Energy Commission chairman and Department of Atomic Energy secretary Ajit Kumar Mohanty reviewing the final technical work needed before the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is synchronised with the power grid.
The visit by Mohanty comes eleven weeks after the reactor achieved first criticality — the controlled start of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction — marking its transition from a decades-long construction project to the commissioning phase.
At the centre of the current effort is the overhaul of the plant's 500 MW turbine generator, a critical step before electricity generated by the reactor can be fed into the national grid. The work is being carried out by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), the original equipment manufacturer, whose engineering team briefed Mohanty during the review.
The turbine generator converts thermal energy produced by the reactor into electricity. In the PFBR, superheated steam generated by sodium-heated once-through steam generators drives a tandem-compound turbine comprising separate high-, intermediate- and low-pressure cylinders. Once commissioned, the reactor will generate 500 MW of electricity.
The ongoing low-power physics experiments, a series of tests conducted after first criticality to validate reactor behaviour before power is gradually increased was also reviewed.
The PFBR represents the part of India's second-stage nuclear programme, which seeks to use fast breeder technology to produce more fissile material than the reactor consumes. The approach is intended to multiply the country's limited uranium resources while laying the foundation for the eventual use of India's abundant thorium reserves under the three-stage nuclear strategy conceived by physicist Homi Bhabha.
Unlike conventional reactors, fast breeder reactors are designed not only to generate electricity but also to create additional nuclear fuel. The reactor's commissioning is being overseen by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), the state-owned company established to build and operate India's fast breeder reactors.
With the prototype entering its final commissioning stages, the government is already preparing to move beyond demonstration mode. Pre-project activities have begun for a twin-unit commercial fast breeder station adjacent to the existing Kalpakkam complex, while site identification and preliminary assessments are under way for a wider rollout of fast reactors across the country, according to a statement from Department of Atomic Energy.
India's ambitious fast breeder nuclear programme has moved closer to producing electricity, with Atomic Energy Commission chairman and Department of Atomic Energy secretary Ajit Kumar Mohanty reviewing the final technical work needed before the 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam is synchronised with the power grid.
The visit by Mohanty comes eleven weeks after the reactor achieved first criticality — the controlled start of a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction — marking its transition from a decades-long construction project to the commissioning phase.
At the centre of the current effort is the overhaul of the plant's 500 MW turbine generator, a critical step before electricity generated by the reactor can be fed into the national grid. The work is being carried out by Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL), the original equipment manufacturer, whose engineering team briefed Mohanty during the review.
The turbine generator converts thermal energy produced by the reactor into electricity. In the PFBR, superheated steam generated by sodium-heated once-through steam generators drives a tandem-compound turbine comprising separate high-, intermediate- and low-pressure cylinders. Once commissioned, the reactor will generate 500 MW of electricity.
The ongoing low-power physics experiments, a series of tests conducted after first criticality to validate reactor behaviour before power is gradually increased was also reviewed.
The PFBR represents the part of India's second-stage nuclear programme, which seeks to use fast breeder technology to produce more fissile material than the reactor consumes. The approach is intended to multiply the country's limited uranium resources while laying the foundation for the eventual use of India's abundant thorium reserves under the three-stage nuclear strategy conceived by physicist Homi Bhabha.
Unlike conventional reactors, fast breeder reactors are designed not only to generate electricity but also to create additional nuclear fuel. The reactor's commissioning is being overseen by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), the state-owned company established to build and operate India's fast breeder reactors.
With the prototype entering its final commissioning stages, the government is already preparing to move beyond demonstration mode. Pre-project activities have begun for a twin-unit commercial fast breeder station adjacent to the existing Kalpakkam complex, while site identification and preliminary assessments are under way for a wider rollout of fast reactors across the country, according to a statement from Department of Atomic Energy.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Japanese Fastener Maker YKK Expands India Presence with $150m Chennai Facility
CHENNAI:
Japanese
fastening products maker YKK Corporation is deepening its manufacturing
footprint in India with plans to invest $150 million in a new
production facility at Origins by Mahindra, Chennai, underscoring the
growing appeal of Tamil Nadu as a hub for export-oriented industrial
investments.
YKK India, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese
group, will establish its third manufacturing plant in the country on
nearly 150,000 sq m within the integrated industrial cluster developed
by Mahindra Industrial Park Chennai Ltd (MIPCL), a joint venture between
Mahindra World City Developers Ltd and Sumitomo Corporation. The
facility is expected to be completed by February 2028.
The
investment adds to a growing roster of international manufacturers at
Origins by Mahindra, Chennai, including Mitsubishi Electric, Yanmar and
Omron, as global companies increasingly diversify supply chains and
expand production capacities closer to key consumer markets.
YKK
India manufactures fastening products for the apparel, textile and
industrial sectors, serving both domestic and overseas customers. The
new plant will incorporate the company's advanced manufacturing
technologies and is expected to support rising demand from India while
strengthening export capabilities, according to a statement by Origins
by Mahindra, Chennai, an integrated industrial development of Mahindra
Lifespace Developers Ltd.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu faces Rs11,600 crore funding gap even b...
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu faces Rs11,600 crore funding gap even b...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu faces a Rs11,600 crore funding gap even before accounting for a single new government promise. A white pa...
Tamil Nadu faces Rs11,600 crore funding gap even before accounting for a single new government promise
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu faces a Rs11,600 crore funding gap even before accounting for a single new government promise. A white paper on the state's fiscal management lays out the arithmetic bluntly: the deficit cannot be fully funded even if every available borrowing window comes through.
The findings cast a long shadow over the ruling party's poll manifesto, raising hard questions about when — or whether — promised schemes can be rolled out
According to the White Paper released by Finance Minister Marie Wilson along with Finance Secretary M A Siddique, the State Government is committed to deliver on its promises, despite these challenges, as early as possible as the financial position permits.
The state's net borrowing ceiling for 2026-27 stands at Rs.1,14,981 crore — fixed by Centre at 3% of projected GSDP of Rs.38.3 lakh crore. On top of that, the Centre has offered Rs.7,000 crore under its capital investment assistance scheme and potentially Rs.11,000 crore tied to pension reform parity — contingent on Centre agreeing to treat Tamil Nadu's pension scheme on par with its own.
A further Rs.19,163 crore — the 0.5% of GSDP window for power sector reforms — hangs in limbo. The 16th Finance Commission's report is silent on whether this facility continues beyond 2025-26.
Even assuming all contingent approvals materialise, maximum borrowings reach Rs.1,52,144 crore. The estimated fiscal deficit exceeds that by Rs.11,600 crore.
That gap assumes 12% growth in the state's own tax revenues — itself an optimistic projection. An 8% growth scenario widens the hole by a further Rs.7,700 crore.
The harder truth: these numbers cover only existing committed expenditure — largely obligations created by the previous government. New schemes the ruling party has promised voters don't figure in the calculation at all.
The white paper's prescription is unsentimental: plug leakages in revenue collection, reduce procurement costs, and tighten expenditure. Capital spending could be cut by Rs.5,000 crore, though the document flags this as undesirable.
The state, under Article 293(3) of the Constitution, cannot borrow without Central government permission — a structural constraint that leaves Tamil Nadu with limited room to manoeuvre unilaterally.
Saturday, June 6, 2026
Chennai Metro clears key construction milestone in Phase II expansion
CHENNAI:
Chennai Metro has crossed a major construction milestone in its Phase II expansion programme, completing the casting of all U-girders required for a crucial elevated stretch of Corridor 5, a move expected to accelerate work on the line in the coming months.
The last 19.5-metre-long U-girder for Adambakkam Metro Station was cast at the casting yard, taking the total number of U-girders produced for the corridor to 824. CMRL said this is one of the largest U-girder production works carried out for a Chennai Metro project.
Spread across 43 acres, the casting yard has been manufacturing thousands of concrete components required for the viaduct and stations. In all, the facility has produced 5,836 precast structures using about 120,000 cubic metres of concrete and nearly 300,000 tonnes of material.
The components include pier caps, pier arms, I-girders, T-girders and parapets that form the backbone of the elevated metro line. These structures are transported nearly 18 km from the yard to various construction locations along the corridor.
The project involved casting girders of varying sizes, including one measuring 33.3 metres and weighing 225 tonnes, among the largest used in metro construction in the country.
The milestone was marked in the presence of senior officials from CMRL, consultant AEON and contractor Larsen & Toubro, a release stated.
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
TN ministers inspect Hyundai Mobis plant after fire
CHENNAI:
Industries Minister S Keerthana and Minister for Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils S P K Thennarasu inspected Mobis India Limited's manufacturing facility at Irungattukottai, near Chennai, where a fire broke out on Sunday, as the state government sought to reassure investors about safety and emergency response measures in one of its largest automobile manufacturing clusters.
The ministers held discussions with representatives of Hyundai Motor India and Mobis India. The facility supplies audio components and a few other automotive parts to the automaker and employs more than 500 workers in shifts. The fire had temporarily disrupted production. The visit comes amid efforts by the state government to assess the extent of damage and ensure continuity of operations in the automotive supply chain, a release stated.
Company representatives told the ministers that swift intervention by state agencies helped contain the incident and minimise risks to workers and nearby facilities. They also conveyed their appreciation to Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for directing an immediate response after reports of the fire emerged.
Later on Wednesday, Hyundai Motor India officials met Chief Minister Joseph Vijay at the secretariat.
Monday, June 1, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: ICGS Sarang decommissioned after 27 years of service
writingonblog uncensored: ICGS Sarang decommissioned after 27 years of service: CHENNAI Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarang, an advanced offshore patrol vessel of the Samar class built by Goa Shipyard Limited, was de...
ICGS Sarang decommissioned after 27 years of service
(1).jpg.jpeg)
CHENNAI
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarang, an advanced offshore patrol vessel of the Samar class built by Goa Shipyard Limited, was decommissioned on Sunday after nearly three decades of service, marking the end of a 27-year operational career that spanned maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue missions and emergency response operations.
Commissioned on June 21, 1999, in Goa by Vice Admiral V A Kamath, the first Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, the vessel was initially based in Mumbai before being rebased to Chennai on April 1, 2002.
The decommissioning ceremony was presided over by Additional Director General Donny Michael, Commander, Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard. During the ceremony, a ceremonial guard of honour was presented and, as the sun set, the Coast Guard ensign was lowered for the final time. The decommissioning pennant, measuring the length of the vessel, was also hauled down in a symbolic farewell.
Named after the hawk, Sarang played a key role in several maritime operations during its service. Among its notable deployments was its contribution to firefighting efforts aboard the motor tanker New Diamond off the coast of Sri Lanka in 2020, according to an official release.
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Sarang, an advanced offshore patrol vessel of the Samar class built by Goa Shipyard Limited, was decommissioned on Sunday after nearly three decades of service, marking the end of a 27-year operational career that spanned maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue missions and emergency response operations.
Commissioned on June 21, 1999, in Goa by Vice Admiral V A Kamath, the first Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, the vessel was initially based in Mumbai before being rebased to Chennai on April 1, 2002.
The decommissioning ceremony was presided over by Additional Director General Donny Michael, Commander, Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard. During the ceremony, a ceremonial guard of honour was presented and, as the sun set, the Coast Guard ensign was lowered for the final time. The decommissioning pennant, measuring the length of the vessel, was also hauled down in a symbolic farewell.
Named after the hawk, Sarang played a key role in several maritime operations during its service. Among its notable deployments was its contribution to firefighting efforts aboard the motor tanker New Diamond off the coast of Sri Lanka in 2020, according to an official release.
Friday, May 29, 2026
Excl: Tamil Nadu steps up AI ambitions with Tamil-language model plans
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu is exploring the development of large language models tailored for Tamil computing, while stepping up investments in graphics processing infrastructure and overseas academic partnerships as part of a wider push to position the state as a regional hub for artificial intelligence.
Pradeep Yadav, Additional Chief Secretary and secretary to the state’s newly expanded Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services department, said the government was working towards creating Tamil-language AI tools, datasets and digital public infrastructure amid rising global interest in vernacular AI ecosystems.
The initiative marks one of the clearest signals yet of the state’s ambition to build sovereign language AI capabilities at a time when policymakers across India are seeking to reduce dependence on English-centric models dominated by global technology companies.
“We are looking at tie-ups with many organisations, including the National University of Singapore,” Yadav told The New Indian Express. He added that the state-run Tamil Virtual Academy was already engaged in Tamil computing projects and would play a role in expanding Tamil-language AI resources.
The push comes as governments and technology firms increasingly recognise that the next phase of AI adoption in countries such as India will depend on the availability of models trained in regional languages for use in governance, education and public services.
Tamil Nadu is also seeking to strengthen its computing backbone to support the initiative. Yadav said the state already possessed GPU capacity and was exploring further investments to scale up AI infrastructure. Discussions are also under way with AI start-up Sarvam AI as part of the state’s broader strategy to deepen Tamil-language computing and indigenous AI capabilities.
Graphics Processing Units, or GPUs, are specialised processors capable of handling large-scale parallel computations and form the backbone of modern artificial intelligence systems. Originally designed for gaming and graphics applications, GPUs are now essential for training and deploying large language models because they process AI workloads significantly faster than conventional central processing units.
The state’s plans come even as Tamil Nadu has yet to formally implement the Union government’s National AI Mission, approved in 2024 with an outlay of about ₹10,300 crore. The programme aims to create large-scale GPU computing infrastructure, support Indian AI start-ups, develop indigenous large language models and build public AI datasets and platforms.
--
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu eyes strategic role in India’s airborne...
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu eyes strategic role in India’s airborne...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has sharpened its bid to emerge as a strategic hub in India’s next-generation aerospace and defence a...
Tamil Nadu eyes strategic role in India’s airborne warfare ecosystem
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu has sharpened its bid to emerge as a strategic hub in India’s next-generation aerospace and defence architecture, leveraging the success of indigenous airborne surveillance platforms such as the Netra airborne early warning system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) to press for a larger share of the country’s high-value defence research and development infrastructure.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pressed for the establishment of CABS in Tamil Nadu, as the state seeks a bigger role in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi, Vijay said discussions had been under way for the past few years with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on setting up the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Design and Development Centre and the Centre for Airborne Systems in Tamil Nadu. He specifically urged the Centre to locate the CABS facility in the state.
The renewed lobbying comes after key infrastructure linked to India’s proposed fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme was steered towards Andhra Pradesh, despite Tamil Nadu’s long-standing engagement with DRDO.
The latest push centres on the proposed expansion of CABS, the DRDO laboratory that serves as the lead integration agency for India’s airborne surveillance and electronic warfare systems, including the indigenous Netra airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Sources said Tamil Nadu is attempting to leverage its manufacturing base, electronics ecosystem and aviation infrastructure around Hosur and Chennai to attract future aerospace programmes linked to airborne surveillance, advanced radar systems and combat aircraft development.
The indigenous Netra Mk1 platform — developed by CABS, a DRDO lab for the Indian Air Force — has emerged as one of India’s most significant domestically developed airborne surveillance systems. Mounted on a Brazilian Embraer ERJ-145 jet, the aircraft functions as a flying command-and-control centre capable of tracking hostile aircraft, coordinating strike missions and enhancing battlefield awareness in real time.
The aircraft uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted above the fuselage, giving it wide-area aerial surveillance capability. Sources said the platform can detect targets at ranges exceeding 250 km, while upgraded variants under development are expected to significantly enhance both range and coverage.
The push also comes as CABS plans to expand beyond its existing limited infrastructure, which currently caters to three aircraft, to support six Netra Mk1A and six Netra Mk2 aircraft. Tamil Nadu has been lobbying DRDO for several years to establish the expanded CABS facility in Hosur, according to official sources.
"Such a project would not only strengthen India’s air defence capability but also transform Tamil Nadu’s aerospace and defence ecosystem by generating high-technology jobs and deepening local manufacturing capability. They say Hosur could evolve into a defence and aviation hub similar to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while also strengthening the supply chain for aerospace electronics, avionics and systems integration. Sources added that a single Netra Mk1 aircraft costs roughly ₹2,000 crore to build, underlining the scale of economic activity associated with the programme," sources said.
The Netra Mk1A is expected to substantially increase surveillance range, while the larger Netra Mk2 — planned on an Airbus A321 platform — aims to provide near-360-degree coverage with detection capability extending beyond 500 km. Tamil Nadu officials argue that Hosur is well positioned to host future aerospace and defence expansion because of its proximity to Bengaluru’s aerospace cluster, its existing electronics manufacturing base and its earlier association with DRDO flight-testing activity. The region previously hosted unmanned aerial vehicle test operations linked to DRDO’s Rustom programme.
Tamil Nadu has sharpened its bid to emerge as a strategic hub in India’s next-generation aerospace and defence architecture, leveraging the success of indigenous airborne surveillance platforms such as the Netra airborne early warning system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) to press for a larger share of the country’s high-value defence research and development infrastructure.
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and pressed for the establishment of CABS in Tamil Nadu, as the state seeks a bigger role in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
During the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi, Vijay said discussions had been under way for the past few years with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on setting up the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Design and Development Centre and the Centre for Airborne Systems in Tamil Nadu. He specifically urged the Centre to locate the CABS facility in the state.
The renewed lobbying comes after key infrastructure linked to India’s proposed fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme was steered towards Andhra Pradesh, despite Tamil Nadu’s long-standing engagement with DRDO.
The latest push centres on the proposed expansion of CABS, the DRDO laboratory that serves as the lead integration agency for India’s airborne surveillance and electronic warfare systems, including the indigenous Netra airborne early warning and control aircraft.
Sources said Tamil Nadu is attempting to leverage its manufacturing base, electronics ecosystem and aviation infrastructure around Hosur and Chennai to attract future aerospace programmes linked to airborne surveillance, advanced radar systems and combat aircraft development.
The indigenous Netra Mk1 platform — developed by CABS, a DRDO lab for the Indian Air Force — has emerged as one of India’s most significant domestically developed airborne surveillance systems. Mounted on a Brazilian Embraer ERJ-145 jet, the aircraft functions as a flying command-and-control centre capable of tracking hostile aircraft, coordinating strike missions and enhancing battlefield awareness in real time.
The aircraft uses an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted above the fuselage, giving it wide-area aerial surveillance capability. Sources said the platform can detect targets at ranges exceeding 250 km, while upgraded variants under development are expected to significantly enhance both range and coverage.
The push also comes as CABS plans to expand beyond its existing limited infrastructure, which currently caters to three aircraft, to support six Netra Mk1A and six Netra Mk2 aircraft. Tamil Nadu has been lobbying DRDO for several years to establish the expanded CABS facility in Hosur, according to official sources.
"Such a project would not only strengthen India’s air defence capability but also transform Tamil Nadu’s aerospace and defence ecosystem by generating high-technology jobs and deepening local manufacturing capability. They say Hosur could evolve into a defence and aviation hub similar to Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while also strengthening the supply chain for aerospace electronics, avionics and systems integration. Sources added that a single Netra Mk1 aircraft costs roughly ₹2,000 crore to build, underlining the scale of economic activity associated with the programme," sources said.
The Netra Mk1A is expected to substantially increase surveillance range, while the larger Netra Mk2 — planned on an Airbus A321 platform — aims to provide near-360-degree coverage with detection capability extending beyond 500 km. Tamil Nadu officials argue that Hosur is well positioned to host future aerospace and defence expansion because of its proximity to Bengaluru’s aerospace cluster, its existing electronics manufacturing base and its earlier association with DRDO flight-testing activity. The region previously hosted unmanned aerial vehicle test operations linked to DRDO’s Rustom programme.
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai airport plans second passenger terminal, c...
writingonblog uncensored: Chennai airport plans second passenger terminal, c...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop an additional passenger terminal and cargo infr...
Chennai airport plans second passenger terminal, cargo hub under expansion strategy on other side of runway
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop an additional passenger terminal and cargo infrastructure on the other side of the runway at Chennai International Airport, while retaining the existing cargo terminal, signalling a broader long-term expansion strategy for the airport, according to Chennai Airport Director M Raja Kishore.
He was responding to a proposal from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), which had suggested shifting cargo operations to the rear side of the airport campus as part of a logistics revamp and an alternative cargo access corridor from the Chennai Bypass.
Kishore said a complete relocation of cargo facilities was not operationally feasible because around 60 per cent of freight handled at Chennai airport moves as “belly cargo” in passenger aircraft.
“Cargo operations are not an independent activity. So shifting cargo operations completely to the other side is not fully viable,” he said in response to queries.
Instead, authorities are examining the possibility of creating an additional cargo hub on the rear side of the airport campus while continuing operations at the existing terminal, he added.
CUMTA had proposed a 5.2-km alternative road connectivity to improve cargo movement and suggested that relocating cargo facilities could free up land for apron expansion and potentially help the airport handle up to 35 million passengers in the future.
Kishore, however, said the projection linked to vacating the existing cargo terminal area was “not viable” under current operational requirements.
“As it is in the conceptual stage, approvals and junction connectivity with NHAI (NH-32), Adyar river flow management, and land acquisition, if any below the shadow region of the flyover, need to be assessed going forward, based on the outcome and decision of the Government of Tamil Nadu,” he added.
The proposal forms part of CUMTA’s proposed 10-year City Logistics Plan aimed at streamlining freight movement across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
According to CUMTA officials, a significant share of Chennai’s commercial air cargo originates from western industrial clusters such as Thirumudivakkam and Irungattukottai. Under the proposal, closed-body trucks carrying cargo would move from the Outer Ring Road via Anakaputhur to the proposed cargo complex on the western side of the airport.
Sources said the proposed connector road is expected to handle 200-250 trucks carrying nearly 700 tonnes of air cargo daily.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to develop an additional passenger terminal and cargo infrastructure on the other side of the runway at Chennai International Airport, while retaining the existing cargo terminal, signalling a broader long-term expansion strategy for the airport, according to Chennai Airport Director M Raja Kishore.
He was responding to a proposal from the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), which had suggested shifting cargo operations to the rear side of the airport campus as part of a logistics revamp and an alternative cargo access corridor from the Chennai Bypass.
Kishore said a complete relocation of cargo facilities was not operationally feasible because around 60 per cent of freight handled at Chennai airport moves as “belly cargo” in passenger aircraft.
“Cargo operations are not an independent activity. So shifting cargo operations completely to the other side is not fully viable,” he said in response to queries.
Instead, authorities are examining the possibility of creating an additional cargo hub on the rear side of the airport campus while continuing operations at the existing terminal, he added.
CUMTA had proposed a 5.2-km alternative road connectivity to improve cargo movement and suggested that relocating cargo facilities could free up land for apron expansion and potentially help the airport handle up to 35 million passengers in the future.
Kishore, however, said the projection linked to vacating the existing cargo terminal area was “not viable” under current operational requirements.
“As it is in the conceptual stage, approvals and junction connectivity with NHAI (NH-32), Adyar river flow management, and land acquisition, if any below the shadow region of the flyover, need to be assessed going forward, based on the outcome and decision of the Government of Tamil Nadu,” he added.
The proposal forms part of CUMTA’s proposed 10-year City Logistics Plan aimed at streamlining freight movement across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
According to CUMTA officials, a significant share of Chennai’s commercial air cargo originates from western industrial clusters such as Thirumudivakkam and Irungattukottai. Under the proposal, closed-body trucks carrying cargo would move from the Outer Ring Road via Anakaputhur to the proposed cargo complex on the western side of the airport.
Sources said the proposed connector road is expected to handle 200-250 trucks carrying nearly 700 tonnes of air cargo daily.
--
Thursday, May 14, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Can Tamil Nadu Retain Its Edge After Political Tra...
writingonblog uncensored: Can Tamil Nadu Retain Its Edge After Political Tra...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu’s industrial story is entering a high-stakes political transition. After five years of aggressively pos...
Can Tamil Nadu Retain Its Edge After Political Transition?
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu’s industrial story is entering a high-stakes political transition. After five years of aggressively positioning itself as India’s factory floor and investment magnet, the change in government has shifted attention from headline investment pledges to a tougher question: can the new administration under Chief Minister Joseph Vijay preserve investor confidence while crafting its own economic identity?
The challenge comes at a sensitive moment. States across India are locked in an increasingly fierce contest for global capital, manufacturing supply chains and export-led growth.
Over the past five years, Tamil Nadu emerged as one of India’s most aggressive industrial destinations, with the Industries Department and Guidance Tamil Nadu driving investments in electronics, renewable energy, automobiles and export-oriented manufacturing. Between 2021 and 2026, the state signed 1,179 memoranda of understanding involving proposed investments of ₹12.37 lakh crore and potential employment for 36.52 lakh people, according to official data.
Industry executives say the new government’s first few months will be closely watched for signals on policy continuity, approvals, infrastructure delivery and electricity pricing.
“Mature governments build on continuity rather than disruption,” said M Ponnuswami, co-chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Taskforce on Ease of Doing Business. He said faster planning approvals would be crucial to sustaining investor confidence. He also said the state should push for time-bound environmental clearances.
Ponnuswami also pointed to mounting concerns over rising power costs and the need for reforms at Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation. “Neighbouring states are competing aggressively for investments," he said highlighting the cost of power for industries coming down in other states.
For manufacturers, continuity matters as much as incentives. Kumar Subramaniam, chief executive of Kaynes Circuits, said investors would study whether the new administration retained the policy direction of its predecessor.
“In Tamil Nadu there has traditionally been continuity across governments. Industry expects that to continue,” he said. “What investors will watch for now is whether the new government introduces a fresh industrial policy that indicates its priorities and long-term direction.”
The industrial roadmap outlined by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam attempts to signal both continuity and strategic recalibration. The party has set a target of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5trillion economy by 2036 while promising faster ease-of-doing-business reforms and accelerated infrastructure creation.
Its manifesto proposes “Industry Transformation Maps” for 20 high-growth sectors and industrial development centres aimed at expanding public-private partnerships. It also seeks to deepen Tamil Nadu’s export orientation through an “EnterpriseTNPlan” focused on clusters such as Tiruppur textiles, Vellore leather goods, Chennai auto components and Erode jewellery.
The administration is also attempting to address growing stress among micro, small and medium enterprises, many of which have struggled with higher electricity tariffs, uneven power supply and tighter credit conditions. The manifesto proposes a ₹15,000 crore state-backed fund to provide low-interest support for distressed MSMEs.
“Policy certainty is now the real competitive advantage,” said Arun Alagappan of South India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI). He said Tamil Nadu remained one of India’s strongest industrial and export-driven economies but sustaining competitiveness in a technology-led and climate-sensitive global economy would require continuous policy reforms, infrastructure investments and deeper government-industry coordination.
He has urged the government to raise manufacturing’s share of the state economy from about 20 per cent to 25 per cent by promoting sunrise sectors such as drones, semiconductors, green hydrogen and space technology.
For investors, however, the larger issue extends beyond announcements. Tamil Nadu’s industrial transition will ultimately be judged not by the scale of promises, but by whether the new government can preserve the state’s reputation as one of India’s most dependable manufacturing destinations.
Tamil Nadu’s industrial story is entering a high-stakes political transition. After five years of aggressively positioning itself as India’s factory floor and investment magnet, the change in government has shifted attention from headline investment pledges to a tougher question: can the new administration under Chief Minister Joseph Vijay preserve investor confidence while crafting its own economic identity?
The challenge comes at a sensitive moment. States across India are locked in an increasingly fierce contest for global capital, manufacturing supply chains and export-led growth.
Over the past five years, Tamil Nadu emerged as one of India’s most aggressive industrial destinations, with the Industries Department and Guidance Tamil Nadu driving investments in electronics, renewable energy, automobiles and export-oriented manufacturing. Between 2021 and 2026, the state signed 1,179 memoranda of understanding involving proposed investments of ₹12.37 lakh crore and potential employment for 36.52 lakh people, according to official data.
Industry executives say the new government’s first few months will be closely watched for signals on policy continuity, approvals, infrastructure delivery and electricity pricing.
“Mature governments build on continuity rather than disruption,” said M Ponnuswami, co-chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s National Taskforce on Ease of Doing Business. He said faster planning approvals would be crucial to sustaining investor confidence. He also said the state should push for time-bound environmental clearances.
Ponnuswami also pointed to mounting concerns over rising power costs and the need for reforms at Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation. “Neighbouring states are competing aggressively for investments," he said highlighting the cost of power for industries coming down in other states.
For manufacturers, continuity matters as much as incentives. Kumar Subramaniam, chief executive of Kaynes Circuits, said investors would study whether the new administration retained the policy direction of its predecessor.
“In Tamil Nadu there has traditionally been continuity across governments. Industry expects that to continue,” he said. “What investors will watch for now is whether the new government introduces a fresh industrial policy that indicates its priorities and long-term direction.”
The industrial roadmap outlined by the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam attempts to signal both continuity and strategic recalibration. The party has set a target of transforming Tamil Nadu into a $1.5trillion economy by 2036 while promising faster ease-of-doing-business reforms and accelerated infrastructure creation.
Its manifesto proposes “Industry Transformation Maps” for 20 high-growth sectors and industrial development centres aimed at expanding public-private partnerships. It also seeks to deepen Tamil Nadu’s export orientation through an “EnterpriseTNPlan” focused on clusters such as Tiruppur textiles, Vellore leather goods, Chennai auto components and Erode jewellery.
The administration is also attempting to address growing stress among micro, small and medium enterprises, many of which have struggled with higher electricity tariffs, uneven power supply and tighter credit conditions. The manifesto proposes a ₹15,000 crore state-backed fund to provide low-interest support for distressed MSMEs.
“Policy certainty is now the real competitive advantage,” said Arun Alagappan of South India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI). He said Tamil Nadu remained one of India’s strongest industrial and export-driven economies but sustaining competitiveness in a technology-led and climate-sensitive global economy would require continuous policy reforms, infrastructure investments and deeper government-industry coordination.
He has urged the government to raise manufacturing’s share of the state economy from about 20 per cent to 25 per cent by promoting sunrise sectors such as drones, semiconductors, green hydrogen and space technology.
For investors, however, the larger issue extends beyond announcements. Tamil Nadu’s industrial transition will ultimately be judged not by the scale of promises, but by whether the new government can preserve the state’s reputation as one of India’s most dependable manufacturing destinations.
writingonblog uncensored: TN Govt Reviews Finances, Airports as AMCA Project...
writingonblog uncensored: TN Govt Reviews Finances, Airports as AMCA Project...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday held a review meeting with officials from the Industries and Fina...
TN Govt Reviews Finances, Airports as AMCA Project Slips to Andhra
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay on Thursday held a review meeting with officials from the Industries and Finance departments, amid heightened attention on the State’s fiscal position and key infrastructure projects.
The meeting assumes significance as the Chief Minister, during his oath-taking ceremony, announced plans to release a white paper on Tamil Nadu’s finances while flagging the State’s debt burden of ₹10 lakh crore.
The review with the Industries Department is also being closely watched as uncertainty persists over the proposed Parandur airport project following the poll promise made to residents of Ekanapuram to halt land acquisition and prevent the displacement of villagers.
Officials from both departments described the interaction as a routine review meeting. However, it comes at a crucial juncture as the new government prepares to roll out its first Budget and recalibrate its industrial strategy.
When asked whether discussions covered the proposed airports at Hosur and Parandur, officials declined to comment. The issue gains importance in the backdrop of Tamil Nadu losing out to Andhra Pradesh in securing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) flight testing and integration complex — a landmark defence aerospace project linked to India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter programme. The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility is scheduled to be held on May 15 at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh.
Tamil Nadu has proposed a 3,000-acre aerospace and aviation development in Hosur, including a greenfield airport and a dedicated manufacturing hub for the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) AMCA programme. Located near the Bengaluru border, the project is aimed at strengthening the State’s footprint in defence and aerospace manufacturing.
A senior government official said Tamil Nadu’s inability to secure the AMCA-linked project was linked to delays in obtaining clearances for the proposed Hosur airport. “Approvals involving defence considerations typically go through multiple layers of scrutiny and iterations with the Centre,” the official said.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: UWA India announces scholarship for students
writingonblog uncensored: UWA India announces scholarship for students: CHENNAI: University of Western Australia (UWA) unveiled one of its largest standalone scholarship commitments for Indian students as it ope...
UWA India announces scholarship for students
CHENNAI:
University of Western Australia (UWA) unveiled one of its largest standalone scholarship commitments for Indian students as it opens applications for UWA India, which will operate campuses in Chennai and Mumbai.
The multi-stream scholarship model deivered primarily through tuition fee reductions recognises academic merit, financial need, leadership potential and regional inclusion, while aligning with Indian regulatory requirements and UWA’s global standards. The program includes merit scholarships, global excellence scholarships, equity and CSR-supported funding, State Government co-funded opportunities (initially in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu), and alumni-backed scholarships.
UWA said the structure would allow eligible students to combine multiple forms of support, reducing financial barriers while maintaining academic standards. UWA India plans to offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in STEM, business and technology disciplines aligned with industry demand and India’s evolving workforce requirements.
Amit Chakma, vice-chancellor of UWA said that, “We are expanding access to a globally recognised UWA education and ensuring that financial constraints do not limit ambition.” Students can apply through https://www.uwa.edu.au/india.
writingonblog uncensored: Hosur emerges as aerospace hub with Rolls-Royce-HA...
writingonblog uncensored: Hosur emerges as aerospace hub with Rolls-Royce-HA...: CHENNAI: As Tamil Nadu sharpens its ambitions to emerge as India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing hub, a joint venture between Rolls-R...
Hosur emerges as aerospace hub with Rolls-Royce-HAL expansion
CHENNAI:
As Tamil Nadu sharpens its ambitions to emerge as India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing hub, a joint venture between Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has expanded its footprint in Hosur, underlining the state’s growing role in global aviation supply chains.
International Aerospace Manufacturing Private Limited (IAMPL), the 50:50 venture between Rolls-Royce and HAL, on Wednesday inaugurated an expanded 12-acre manufacturing facility in Hosur aimed at scaling production of high-precision compressor and turbine components for both civil and defence aerospace programmes.
This comes after Engineering giant Rolls-Royce last has signalled a major expansion of its presence in the state during the visit of former chief minister M K Stalin to United Kingdom last year.
The expansion comes as Tamil Nadu seeks to position itself as a strategic destination for aerospace and defence manufacturing, leveraging its proximity to Bengaluru’s engineering ecosystem while building a deeper industrial base of its own. Hosur, located near the Karnataka border, has increasingly emerged as a preferred location for advanced manufacturing investments due to its connectivity, skilled workforce and industrial infrastructure.
“This joint venture with HAL is not only testament to our long-standing commitment to ‘Make in India’, it is an example of the sustained efforts that have gone into the creation of a strong, resilient aerospace and defence ecosystem in the country,” said Sashi Mukundan, executive vice-president at Rolls-Royce India.
Mukundan said Rolls-Royce intended to position India as a strategic “home market” and planned to increase sourcing from India tenfold in line with future programmes and partnerships. He added that IAMPL had become a benchmark facility within the company’s global manufacturing network.
The facility was inaugurated by Mukundan alongside Ravi K, chairman and managing director of HAL, and Seenivasan Balasubramanian, chief executive of IAMPL.
HAL said the expansion would help deepen India’s indigenous aerospace manufacturing capabilities at a time when the country is pushing for greater localisation in defence production and engine component manufacturing.
Monday, April 20, 2026
Hyundai, TVS bet on electric three-wheelers to crack India’s last-mile market
.JPG.jpeg)
.jpg.jpeg)
Chennai:
Hyundai Motor Company has tied up with TVS Motor Company to develop and commercialise electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), marking the Korean carmaker’s most direct push yet into India’s vast last-mile mobility market.
The two companies on Monday signed a joint development agreement to co-create vehicles tailored for Indian conditions, with TVS expected to lead manufacturing and sales from its domestic base while Hyundai drives design and advanced engineering.
The move comes as India — the world’s largest three-wheeler market — emerges as a key battleground for electric mobility, particularly in passenger and cargo transport segments where operating costs and regulatory nudges are accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will bring its global R&D capabilities and design expertise, while TVS will deploy its electric three-wheeler platform and local market understanding. The vehicles will be produced in India with a high degree of localisation, a strategy aimed at lowering costs, strengthening supply chains and ensuring faster service support.
The partnership builds on an earlier concept showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 and signals a transition to commercial development and eventual mass production. The companies said the product would be engineered for India-specific challenges such as uneven road conditions, dense urban usage and tropical climates.
Features under consideration include higher ground clearance suited for monsoon-hit roads, enhanced thermal management systems and modular configurations that can be adapted for passenger transport, cargo movement and emergency services.
For Hyundai, the tie-up offers a route into a segment it has so far not directly addressed in India, where its presence has largely been in passenger vehicles. For TVS, it brings access to global design and engineering capabilities as it scales its electric mobility portfolio.
The companies did not disclose investment details or launch timelines but said dedicated teams have been set up to fast-track development, testing and regulatory approvals.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Tamil Nadu ramps up LPG access for migrant workers
CHENNAI:
India’s
state-run oil marketing companies have stepped up efforts with the
Tamil Nadu government to ensure uninterrupted access to cooking gas for
migrant workers, as authorities move to cushion the impact of global
supply disruptions on domestic consumers.
Acting under the
guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the oil industry
has doubled the daily availability of 5-kg free trade LPG cylinders — a
smaller, more flexible option widely used by migrant labourers and daily
wage earners. The expanded supply is being rolled out across Tamil Nadu
and Puducherry through coordination with state departments.
The
intervention comes against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions
affecting global energy supply chains, prompting Centre and state
governments to pre-empt shortages and stabilise fuel distribution.
A
release from State Level Coordinator (SLC), Oil Industry – Tamil Nadu
& Puducherry said the additional allocation is being targeted at
high-density migrant clusters in industrial belts such as Chennai,
Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Erode and Thiruvallur. Oil companies have deployed
distributors directly to construction sites, industrial hubs and worker
settlements, enabling over-the-counter sales through petrol pumps and
local retail outlets.
To lower access barriers, new 5-kg
connections are being issued with minimal documentation, requiring only
basic identity proof such as Aadhaar. A release stated that the
availability of these cylinders has already risen by about 70 per cent
since April 7 compared with pre-disruption levels, with further
increases planned.
“LPG supplies across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
remain stable, with adequate stocks at bottling plants and
distributorships,” said V C Asokan, state-level coordinator for the oil
industry, referring to operations of public sector retailers including
Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited.
The move underscores a
broader policy push to ring-fence vulnerable consumers from supply
shocks, while maintaining continuity in essential fuel distribution.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Tamil Nadu sharpens its pitch as Chennai entrenches itself in India’s GCC map
C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu is increasingly being judged not as an alternative to India’s larger technology hubs, but as a more predictable one for multinational companies rethinking how and where to build their global capability centres (GCCs.
The state has quietly assembled the building blocks in the last five years that matter most to global enterprises --- a deep and stable talent pool, competitive real estate economics and an operating environment that favours long-duration, engineering-led work.
As a result, Tamil Nadu is emerging as one of the few Indian states with a credible multi-city GCC strategy, anchored by Chennai and supported by fast-rising Coimbatore.
Chennai’s office market delivered one of its strongest performances on record in 2025, with total leasing volumes touching 10.1 million sq ft — the second-highest annual absorption after the 2023 peak, according to Knight Frank India. Leasing rose 24 per cent year-on-year, even as activity moderated slightly in the July–December period.
GCCs were at the heart of that momentum. In the second half of 2025, they accounted for 41 per cent of leasing, driven largely by manufacturing-led and multi-functional operations rather than pure IT services. Flexible workspace operators, catering to companies seeking managed and scalable formats, contributed another 23 per cent of leasing, reflecting changing corporate space strategies.
The demand is not evenly spread across sectors — or geographies. Data from Colliers shows that between 2020 and 2025, Chennai recorded cumulative GCC leasing of 16.1 million sq ft, with US-headquartered firms accounting for nearly three-quarters of that footprint.
BFSI and technology together made up more than half of overall GCC demand, while engineering and manufacturing — traditionally associated with captive centres outside India — emerged as a structurally important pillar, accounting for 19 per cent of total leasing.
European GCCs, by contrast, skewed heavily towards engineering and manufacturing, reflecting Chennai’s long-standing industrial base and proximity to automotive and electronics supply chains. UK-linked centres showed a strong bias towards financial services, underlining the city’s growing role in regulated, compliance-heavy work.
What sets Chennai apart is not headline scale but operating confidence. The city supports more than 600,000 experienced technology professionals, supplemented by an annual pipeline of over 85,000 graduates, according to analysis by ANSR. For global firms running large, multi-year programmes in AI, data and core engineering, that depth translates into lower attrition risk and better retention of institutional knowledge.
The talent base is anchored by institutions such as IIT Madras, Anna University and VIT Chennai, which continue to produce engineering-first graduates aligned with enterprise needs rather than short-cycle technology trends. GCCs are increasingly relying on the city for platform development, applied AI and large-scale data programmes where continuity matters as much as speed.
Costs have reinforced that appeal. Grade A office rentals in Chennai, typically in the ₹60–85 per sq ft range, remain competitive relative to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, even as infrastructure-led corridors such as Old Mahabalipuram Road and GST Road absorb a growing share of new demand. Peripheral business districts along these corridors accounted for 36 per cent of second-half leasing in 2025, reflecting both availability and improved connectivity.
Policy is now being layered onto those fundamentals. The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to establish a dedicated desk to fast-track clearances and attract research and development–focused GCCs, as it seeks to pull investment not just from overseas but also from companies relocating operations from other Indian states.
“This is about faster clearances for all the GCCs wanting to set up office in Tamil Nadu,” Industries Minister T R B Rajaa said at the GCC Next Summit 2025 in Chennai. “We want to build a thriving research and development ecosystem in Chennai and attract GCCs moving from other states — thanks to our availability of A-grade commercial space and deep talent pool.”
The state has also signed a strategic partnership with ANSR to help multinational firms establish and scale centres in Tamil Nadu — a move officials describe as one of the most consequential interventions yet in the state’s GCC push.
Crucially, the strategy is not limited to Chennai. Further west, Coimbatore is emerging as the state’s second pillar in the GCC landscape. Long associated with manufacturing, the city reached an inflection point in 2025 as enterprises began to view it as a credible execution hub for analytics-led and AI-adjacent work.
ANSR estimates suggest Coimbatore now has more than 231,000 experienced technology professionals and produces around 60,000 graduates annually, supported by STEM-focused institutions such as PSG Tech, Amrita and CIT.
For global companies, the appeal of Tamil Nadu increasingly lies in optionality: the ability to scale large teams in Chennai, diversify risk into Coimbatore, and operate within a single regulatory and policy framework. Analysts estimate that nearly 15 per cent of India’s overall GCC demand could originate from Chennai and Coimbatore combined in the coming years.
As competition among Indian states intensifies for high-value global work, Tamil Nadu rather than chasing rapid expansion at any cost, is positioning itself as a steady, engineering-led platform for multinational firms building the next generation of enterprise capability centres — not just service hubs, but engines of innovation.
Factfile:
Nearly 15% of India’s overall GCC demand is estimated to originate from Chennai and Coimbatore combined.
Total GCC leasing in Chennai (2020–25): 16.1 million sq ft of cumulative GCC leasing over five years.
Origin of GCC demand in Chennai:
US firms: 11.8 million square feet (msf)
EU firms: 1.4 msf
UK firms: 1.5 msf
Others: 1.4 msf
Top GCC sectors by leasing share
BFSI: 29%
Technology: 27%
Engineering & Manufacturing: 19%
US GCCs: Balanced mix of BFSI (30%) and technology (32%)
EU GCCs: Engineering & manufacturing dominant (72%)
UK GCCs: BFSI-led (73%)
Emerging sectors beyond core IT
Healthcare: 6% of GCC leasing
Consulting: 4%
GCCs accounted for 41% of total leasing in the second half of 2025.
Cost competitiveness: Grade A office rentals in Chennai range between ₹60–85 per sq ft, lower and more stable than major peer markets.
Talent pipeline strength: 600,000+ experienced technology professionals in Chennai; 85,000+ graduates annually
Tamil Nadu is increasingly being judged not as an alternative to India’s larger technology hubs, but as a more predictable one for multinational companies rethinking how and where to build their global capability centres (GCCs.
The state has quietly assembled the building blocks in the last five years that matter most to global enterprises --- a deep and stable talent pool, competitive real estate economics and an operating environment that favours long-duration, engineering-led work.
As a result, Tamil Nadu is emerging as one of the few Indian states with a credible multi-city GCC strategy, anchored by Chennai and supported by fast-rising Coimbatore.
Chennai’s office market delivered one of its strongest performances on record in 2025, with total leasing volumes touching 10.1 million sq ft — the second-highest annual absorption after the 2023 peak, according to Knight Frank India. Leasing rose 24 per cent year-on-year, even as activity moderated slightly in the July–December period.
GCCs were at the heart of that momentum. In the second half of 2025, they accounted for 41 per cent of leasing, driven largely by manufacturing-led and multi-functional operations rather than pure IT services. Flexible workspace operators, catering to companies seeking managed and scalable formats, contributed another 23 per cent of leasing, reflecting changing corporate space strategies.
The demand is not evenly spread across sectors — or geographies. Data from Colliers shows that between 2020 and 2025, Chennai recorded cumulative GCC leasing of 16.1 million sq ft, with US-headquartered firms accounting for nearly three-quarters of that footprint.
BFSI and technology together made up more than half of overall GCC demand, while engineering and manufacturing — traditionally associated with captive centres outside India — emerged as a structurally important pillar, accounting for 19 per cent of total leasing.
European GCCs, by contrast, skewed heavily towards engineering and manufacturing, reflecting Chennai’s long-standing industrial base and proximity to automotive and electronics supply chains. UK-linked centres showed a strong bias towards financial services, underlining the city’s growing role in regulated, compliance-heavy work.
What sets Chennai apart is not headline scale but operating confidence. The city supports more than 600,000 experienced technology professionals, supplemented by an annual pipeline of over 85,000 graduates, according to analysis by ANSR. For global firms running large, multi-year programmes in AI, data and core engineering, that depth translates into lower attrition risk and better retention of institutional knowledge.
The talent base is anchored by institutions such as IIT Madras, Anna University and VIT Chennai, which continue to produce engineering-first graduates aligned with enterprise needs rather than short-cycle technology trends. GCCs are increasingly relying on the city for platform development, applied AI and large-scale data programmes where continuity matters as much as speed.
Costs have reinforced that appeal. Grade A office rentals in Chennai, typically in the ₹60–85 per sq ft range, remain competitive relative to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune, even as infrastructure-led corridors such as Old Mahabalipuram Road and GST Road absorb a growing share of new demand. Peripheral business districts along these corridors accounted for 36 per cent of second-half leasing in 2025, reflecting both availability and improved connectivity.
Policy is now being layered onto those fundamentals. The Tamil Nadu government has announced plans to establish a dedicated desk to fast-track clearances and attract research and development–focused GCCs, as it seeks to pull investment not just from overseas but also from companies relocating operations from other Indian states.
“This is about faster clearances for all the GCCs wanting to set up office in Tamil Nadu,” Industries Minister T R B Rajaa said at the GCC Next Summit 2025 in Chennai. “We want to build a thriving research and development ecosystem in Chennai and attract GCCs moving from other states — thanks to our availability of A-grade commercial space and deep talent pool.”
The state has also signed a strategic partnership with ANSR to help multinational firms establish and scale centres in Tamil Nadu — a move officials describe as one of the most consequential interventions yet in the state’s GCC push.
Crucially, the strategy is not limited to Chennai. Further west, Coimbatore is emerging as the state’s second pillar in the GCC landscape. Long associated with manufacturing, the city reached an inflection point in 2025 as enterprises began to view it as a credible execution hub for analytics-led and AI-adjacent work.
ANSR estimates suggest Coimbatore now has more than 231,000 experienced technology professionals and produces around 60,000 graduates annually, supported by STEM-focused institutions such as PSG Tech, Amrita and CIT.
For global companies, the appeal of Tamil Nadu increasingly lies in optionality: the ability to scale large teams in Chennai, diversify risk into Coimbatore, and operate within a single regulatory and policy framework. Analysts estimate that nearly 15 per cent of India’s overall GCC demand could originate from Chennai and Coimbatore combined in the coming years.
As competition among Indian states intensifies for high-value global work, Tamil Nadu rather than chasing rapid expansion at any cost, is positioning itself as a steady, engineering-led platform for multinational firms building the next generation of enterprise capability centres — not just service hubs, but engines of innovation.
Factfile:
Nearly 15% of India’s overall GCC demand is estimated to originate from Chennai and Coimbatore combined.
Total GCC leasing in Chennai (2020–25): 16.1 million sq ft of cumulative GCC leasing over five years.
Origin of GCC demand in Chennai:
US firms: 11.8 million square feet (msf)
EU firms: 1.4 msf
UK firms: 1.5 msf
Others: 1.4 msf
Top GCC sectors by leasing share
BFSI: 29%
Technology: 27%
Engineering & Manufacturing: 19%
US GCCs: Balanced mix of BFSI (30%) and technology (32%)
EU GCCs: Engineering & manufacturing dominant (72%)
UK GCCs: BFSI-led (73%)
Emerging sectors beyond core IT
Healthcare: 6% of GCC leasing
Consulting: 4%
GCCs accounted for 41% of total leasing in the second half of 2025.
Cost competitiveness: Grade A office rentals in Chennai range between ₹60–85 per sq ft, lower and more stable than major peer markets.
Talent pipeline strength: 600,000+ experienced technology professionals in Chennai; 85,000+ graduates annually
Monday, April 6, 2026
India’s fast breeder bet reaches critical moment
C Shivakumar @ Chennai:
It has been a 16-year wait since I first began covering nuclear energy and asking when the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) would attain criticality. The answer finally came on Monday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the reactor had achieved the milestone.
I recall a visit to Kalpakkam on September 29, 2010, when journalists were taken to the site shortly after the inner vessel had been lowered earlier that month, during the tenure of Dr Baldev Raj, then Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
The inner vessel is a critical component of the PFBR. It separates the hot and cold pools of liquid sodium and provides structural support and positional accuracy to the heat exchangers operating in the hot sodium pool.
The 500 MW PFBR — the first of its kind in India — has been designed by IGCAR and comprises three primary vessels: the safety vessel, the main vessel and the inner vessel. Together with other core systems, these form the backbone of the reactor, which marks the beginning of the second stage of India’s nuclear power programme.
Construction milestones were staggered over several years. The stainless steel safety vessel was installed in June 2008, followed by the lowering of the main vessel in December 2009. The thermal baffle — a 70-tonne component designed to extend the reactor’s operational life — was erected in May 2010, ahead of the installation of the inner vessel.
Designed by IGCAR scientists, the thermal baffle creates an annular passage for cold sodium to circulate and cool the main vessel. This is crucial because the reactor contains about 1,100 tonnes of liquid sodium at temperatures of around 550°C. The cooling system ensures that the main vessel temperature remains below 450°C during normal operations, thereby reducing the risks of creep, thermal fatigue and material embrittlement.
The PFBR is intended as a technological stepping stone, offering operational and engineering lessons as India plans a fleet of fast breeder reactors.
The technology places India among a small group of nations with fast breeder capability, building on early experimental success achieved in 1985. The Kalpakkam reactor operates on a closed fuel cycle, where spent fuel is reprocessed to extract fissile material and refabricated into plutonium-rich mixed carbide fuel. This approach is central to maximising energy output from limited uranium reserves while enabling the long-term use of India’s abundant thorium resources.
India’s three-stage nuclear programme, conceived by Homi Jehangir Bhabha, envisages a phased expansion of nuclear capacity. The first stage is based on natural uranium-fuelled pressurised heavy water reactors, which currently dominate the country’s nuclear fleet. The second stage — now entering a decisive phase with the PFBR — focuses on fast breeder reactors that can convert uranium-238 into plutonium and thorium into uranium-233, potentially scaling capacity to around 300 GW over time. The final stage aims to fully deploy thorium-based reactors, with projections of sustaining up to 1,000 GW for centuries.
Despite concerns among critics over the use of sodium coolant — which reacts vigorously with air and water — proponents argue that fast breeder reactors offer a pathway to more efficient fuel utilisation and a reduction in long-term radioactive waste.
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2014/Jun/28/500-mw-kalpakkam-reactor-to-reach-criticality-629561.html
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2010/Sep/21/lowering-of-inner-vessel-marks-another-milestone-188739.html
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu tightens access to industrial LPG as Ce...
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu tightens access to industrial LPG as Ce...: CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has moved to tighten oversight of industrial fuel consumption, mandating registration and fuel-switch readiness for ...
Tamil Nadu tightens access to industrial LPG as Centre raises allocation cap
CHENNAI:
Tamil Nadu has moved to tighten oversight of industrial fuel consumption, mandating registration and fuel-switch readiness for commercial users after the Centre raised allocations of subsidised LPG.
Following New Delhi’s decision to increase commercial LPG supplies to states and Union Territories to 50%—from an earlier 20%—the state industries department on Wednesday said that businesses would have to register with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to access the enhanced quota.
The move effectively links access to LPG with a transition pathway to piped natural gas (PNG), signalling a broader policy push to ease pressure on cylinder-based supplies amid ongoing shortages.
Under the new framework, commercial and industrial consumers must also enrol with city gas distribution (CGD) entities in their districts and demonstrate readiness to switch to PNG connections, where available. The dual-registration requirement is intended to prioritise firms willing to migrate to more stable, pipeline-based fuel systems.
The directive comes as authorities attempt to balance constrained LPG availability with industrial demand, particularly from small and medium enterprises that rely heavily on cylinders for operations.
Businesses across districts have been mapped to specific CGD operators.
Factfile:
North & Coastal Cluster
Chennai
Tiruvallur
Nagapattinam
Operator: Torrent Gas
Contact: 1800-2125-67890
North & Delta Extension
Kancheepuram
Chengalpattu
Ramanathapuram
Vellore
Ranipet
Tirupathur
Operator: AG&P Pratham
Contact: 1800-202-2999
Central–East Belt
Tiruppur
Cuddalore
Tiruvarur
Mayiladuthurai
Operator: Adani Total Gas
Contact: 079-4754-5252
Western & Southern Belt
Coimbatore
Salem
Dharmapuri
Krishnagiri
Madurai
Theni
Virudhunagar
Kanniyakumari
Thoothukudi
Tirunelveli
Tenkasi
Operator: Indian Oil Corporation
Contact: 1800-180-7788
Interior District Clusster:
Tiruvannamalai
Villupuram
Kallakurichi
Ariyalur
Perambalur
Pudukkottai
Sivagangai
Thanjavur
Dindigul
Karur
Operator: MEIL (Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited)
Contact: 1800-123-1803
Central TN
Tiruchirappalli
Namakkal
Operator: IRM Energy
1800-891-1310
Others:
Erode
The Nilgiris
Operator: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Contact: 1800-22-4344
Tamil Nadu has moved to tighten oversight of industrial fuel consumption, mandating registration and fuel-switch readiness for commercial users after the Centre raised allocations of subsidised LPG.
Following New Delhi’s decision to increase commercial LPG supplies to states and Union Territories to 50%—from an earlier 20%—the state industries department on Wednesday said that businesses would have to register with oil marketing companies (OMCs) to access the enhanced quota.
The move effectively links access to LPG with a transition pathway to piped natural gas (PNG), signalling a broader policy push to ease pressure on cylinder-based supplies amid ongoing shortages.
Under the new framework, commercial and industrial consumers must also enrol with city gas distribution (CGD) entities in their districts and demonstrate readiness to switch to PNG connections, where available. The dual-registration requirement is intended to prioritise firms willing to migrate to more stable, pipeline-based fuel systems.
The directive comes as authorities attempt to balance constrained LPG availability with industrial demand, particularly from small and medium enterprises that rely heavily on cylinders for operations.
Businesses across districts have been mapped to specific CGD operators.
Factfile:
North & Coastal Cluster
Chennai
Tiruvallur
Nagapattinam
Operator: Torrent Gas
Contact: 1800-2125-67890
North & Delta Extension
Kancheepuram
Chengalpattu
Ramanathapuram
Vellore
Ranipet
Tirupathur
Operator: AG&P Pratham
Contact: 1800-202-2999
Central–East Belt
Tiruppur
Cuddalore
Tiruvarur
Mayiladuthurai
Operator: Adani Total Gas
Contact: 079-4754-5252
Western & Southern Belt
Coimbatore
Salem
Dharmapuri
Krishnagiri
Madurai
Theni
Virudhunagar
Kanniyakumari
Thoothukudi
Tirunelveli
Tenkasi
Operator: Indian Oil Corporation
Contact: 1800-180-7788
Interior District Clusster:
Tiruvannamalai
Villupuram
Kallakurichi
Ariyalur
Perambalur
Pudukkottai
Sivagangai
Thanjavur
Dindigul
Karur
Operator: MEIL (Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited)
Contact: 1800-123-1803
Central TN
Tiruchirappalli
Namakkal
Operator: IRM Energy
1800-891-1310
Others:
Erode
The Nilgiris
Operator: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Contact: 1800-22-4344
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports surge nearly nine...
writingonblog uncensored: Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports surge nearly nine...: CHENNAI: Electronics exports from Tamil Nadu have surged nearly ninefold over four years, rising from $1.65bn in 2021 to $14.65bn in 2...
Tamil Nadu’s electronics exports surge nearly ninefold in four years
CHENNAI:
Electronics exports from Tamil Nadu have surged nearly ninefold over four years, rising from $1.65bn in 2021 to $14.65bn in 2024-25, as the state strengthens its position at the centre of India’s electronics manufacturing push. Industries minister T R B Rajaa said the state was aiming to cross $18bn in electronics exports this financial year, even as India’s overall electronics exports could touch $45bn. He said the Centre's Niryat Portal has yet to update the data.
Addressing the two-day 15th edition of Source India – Electronics Supply Chain in Chennai on Tuesday, industries minister T R B Rajaa said Tamil Nadu is positioning itself as the electronics manufacturing hub of the global south, leveraging scale, exports and a growing ecosystem that the state government says serves not just regional but national ambitions.
He said the state accounted for 31 per cent of India’s electronics production and 41 per cent of the country’s electronics exports. “Everything Tamil Nadu does is for India,” he said, adding that the state was steadily moving up the value chain.
Rajaa said Tamil Nadu’s next phase of growth would hinge on research and development, building on its strengths in manufacturing and services. “The next big thing we want to do is R&D, and I want all of you to invest in it,” he told industry representatives, stressing that global demand was shifting from low-cost products to quality-driven manufacturing. “India wants quality, and Tamil Nadu wants to stand for quality.”
He said the state’s exposure to multinational manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Germany and Taiwan had given it an edge in absorbing global best practices. Education reforms would be critical to sustaining this advantage, Rajaa said, adding that embedding quality standards in school education would be a priority if the ruling DMK secured a second term.
The minister also highlighted the state’s emphasis on employment over headline investment numbers. Tamil Nadu has created about 24,000 high-end engineering jobs in electronics manufacturing, he said, and women’s participation in factory work was rising, aided by initiatives such as free bus travel for women.
Referring to the electronics manufacturing clusters (EMCs) scheme, Rajaa said Tamil Nadu had added value to the programme, with five of the seven EMC projects located in the state and 69 per cent of all jobs created under the scheme going to Tamil Nadu.
Industry leaders echoed the state’s role in India’s electronics push. Sasikumar Gendham, president of ELCINA, said electronics had become “the infrastructure for modern civilisation”, underpinning sectors ranging from healthcare and mobility to defence, energy and artificial intelligence. As global supply chains are re-engineered around resilience and reliability, India stood at a critical inflection point, he said, with Tamil Nadu demonstrating what policy clarity and skilled talent could deliver.
Atul Lall, vice-chairman and managing director of Dixon Technologies India, said the next phase of competitiveness would depend on deeper localisation, stronger component ecosystems and sustained investment in technology and skills.
During the inaugural session, ELCINA released a report on Tamil Nadu’s electronics industry, highlighting its manufacturing scale, export growth and opportunities for further localisation.
Electronics exports from Tamil Nadu have surged nearly ninefold over four years, rising from $1.65bn in 2021 to $14.65bn in 2024-25, as the state strengthens its position at the centre of India’s electronics manufacturing push. Industries minister T R B Rajaa said the state was aiming to cross $18bn in electronics exports this financial year, even as India’s overall electronics exports could touch $45bn. He said the Centre's Niryat Portal has yet to update the data.
Addressing the two-day 15th edition of Source India – Electronics Supply Chain in Chennai on Tuesday, industries minister T R B Rajaa said Tamil Nadu is positioning itself as the electronics manufacturing hub of the global south, leveraging scale, exports and a growing ecosystem that the state government says serves not just regional but national ambitions.
He said the state accounted for 31 per cent of India’s electronics production and 41 per cent of the country’s electronics exports. “Everything Tamil Nadu does is for India,” he said, adding that the state was steadily moving up the value chain.
Rajaa said Tamil Nadu’s next phase of growth would hinge on research and development, building on its strengths in manufacturing and services. “The next big thing we want to do is R&D, and I want all of you to invest in it,” he told industry representatives, stressing that global demand was shifting from low-cost products to quality-driven manufacturing. “India wants quality, and Tamil Nadu wants to stand for quality.”
He said the state’s exposure to multinational manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Germany and Taiwan had given it an edge in absorbing global best practices. Education reforms would be critical to sustaining this advantage, Rajaa said, adding that embedding quality standards in school education would be a priority if the ruling DMK secured a second term.
The minister also highlighted the state’s emphasis on employment over headline investment numbers. Tamil Nadu has created about 24,000 high-end engineering jobs in electronics manufacturing, he said, and women’s participation in factory work was rising, aided by initiatives such as free bus travel for women.
Referring to the electronics manufacturing clusters (EMCs) scheme, Rajaa said Tamil Nadu had added value to the programme, with five of the seven EMC projects located in the state and 69 per cent of all jobs created under the scheme going to Tamil Nadu.
Industry leaders echoed the state’s role in India’s electronics push. Sasikumar Gendham, president of ELCINA, said electronics had become “the infrastructure for modern civilisation”, underpinning sectors ranging from healthcare and mobility to defence, energy and artificial intelligence. As global supply chains are re-engineered around resilience and reliability, India stood at a critical inflection point, he said, with Tamil Nadu demonstrating what policy clarity and skilled talent could deliver.
Atul Lall, vice-chairman and managing director of Dixon Technologies India, said the next phase of competitiveness would depend on deeper localisation, stronger component ecosystems and sustained investment in technology and skills.
During the inaugural session, ELCINA released a report on Tamil Nadu’s electronics industry, highlighting its manufacturing scale, export growth and opportunities for further localisation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)