Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

CII to develop agro industries

Special Correspondent

MADURAI: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plans to undertake a feasibility study for developing agro industries in south Tamil Nadu. This will include promotion of jatropha cultivation and wine industry in Theni and Dindigul districts.

Addressing a press conference here recently, the newly elected office-bearers of Madurai zone of CII, V. Krishnamurthy (chairman) and R. Dinesh (vice-chairman), said that a core team would be formed with the assistance of the State Government to promote jatropha cultivation, winery, fruit-based products and `Sirumalai' banana cultivation in these two districts. Efforts would be made to showcase `Sirumalai' variety as a brand worldwide.

The CII, Mr. Krishnamurthy said, had identified industry, infrastructure, tourism and agriculture as the major thrust areas for 2007-08, with the slogan `Reach South Tamil Nadu.' The confederation would act as a catalyst in promotion of information technology companies in the region and harness the potential of various other industries.

Port facilities

On the infrastructure front, it would work for getting the existing facilities in Madurai airport upgraded towards getting international status.

The immediate requirement was expansion of the runway to 9000 feet, along with formation of an additional runway. The facilities at Tuticorin airport should also be improved, including extension of runway to 9000 feet, to facilitate operation of domestic and international cargo flights.

Port development should be expedited in Tuticorin. In order to facilitate free movement of cargo, double-laning of Tuticorin-Chennai railway track should be taken up. The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways should also think of six-laning some of the stretches of highways in the region, which had been taken up for four-laning.

Survey on power

Power availability would be a major issue when the pace of industrialisation picked up in the region; the CII would undertake a survey on power requirements for a decade. Mr. Krishnamurthy said that the demand was bound to increase with even many sick textile units getting revived.

Mr. Dinesh said that the State Government had been proactive and there was a positive response to industrialisation of south Tamil Nadu.

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