The Hindu : Front Page : Chamber presses for logistics park, mass transit system

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Monday, Sep 15, 2008
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Chamber presses for logistics park, mass transit system

Special Correspondent

Photo: K. Ananthan

DEVELOPMENT AGENDA: Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram (third left) and Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry office-bearers display copies of the Coimbatore 2025 action plan he released in the city on Sunday. –

COIMBATORE: A mass rapid transit system, a logistics park for the trade and industry and other sections and ring roads are among the projects that the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore is listing as among the key infrastructure requirements of Coimbatore.

Chamber president D. Balasundaram placed these requirements before Union Minister P. Chidambaram, who released the first chapter of the Coimbatore 2025 plan at the launch of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the chamber of commerce in the city on Sunday.

The first chapter contains the population forecast for 2025 the chamber has made, with the past and current demographic profile, the pattern of migration and the urbanisation rate forming its basis.

“We presented a wish list for Coimbatore in January. They key requirements are two ring roads to connect all the highways, a mass transit system of both buses and trains, expansion of the airport for direct flights to Europe and an integrated logistics park,” Mr. Balasundaram said, making a fresh appeal to the Central Government.

From about 45 lakh, the district’s population would rise to 68 lakh in 2025. There was a need to plan the infrastructure to meet the demands of all sections – from the trade and industry to the people. The chamber would involve experts in various fields and universities in formulation action plans as part of the Coimbatore 2025 initiative.

Mr. Chidambaram said that while the chamber of commerce pursued this plan, high growth on the industrial front in Coimbatore must also be achieved. “Coimbatore must be a centre for attracting investments. But, outsiders will invest in Coimbatore only if the local people did so.”

Bad time should not return to Coimbatore, he said, alluding to the serial blasts of February 1998 and its impact on the district’s economy. “It is now looking ahead,” he noted.

Former presidents of the chamber G.K. Sundaram, K.G. Balakrishnan, Dorairaj, A.V. Varadarajan and A. Sakthivel were felicitated at the function. Vanita Mohan and M. Krishnan, incumbent vice-presidents, and honorary treasurer R.R. Balasundaram were present.

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