Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Expedite Construction Of Nanguneri Special Economic Zone Project And ... on 9 November, 2010
> Title: Need to expedite construction of Nanguneri Special Economic Zone Project and allocate adequate funds for infrastructural development.
SHRI S.S. RAMASUBBU (TIRUNELVELI): Thank you, Sir, for giving me an opportunity to raise an important matter relating to my constituency. The Special Economic Zones in India were established with a view to bring expertise for the country’s export sector. The Government has set up SEZs in the public, private and joint sector and as a result some of the existing Export Processing Zones were converted into Special Economic Zones.
Sir, Nangureri Special Economic Zone has been planned by the Tamil Nadu Government to be set up in Nangureri town. The AMRL International Tech City Limited and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation have joined together to establish this. This Special Economic Zone is said to be a project worth around Rs. 14,000 crore. The land required for this 2528 acres and the land has been acquired. It is pending for the last five years. The work has not yet started. It is only at the processing stage. People in this area are mostly dependent on agriculture and they are expecting that with the setting up of this Special Economic Zone in this area industries would be set up which will provide more employment opportunities to the people of the area. But the progress is very slow. Even though the land for the purpose has been acquired, yet it is doubtful whether the first phase on 400 acres would be ready by 2011. Due to lack of adequate infrastructure, infrastructural facilities are not available in this area; the people are not ready to set up their units here. If infrastructural facilities are made available, then it will be very attractive for investment in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu and it will also help to decongest the crowded Chennai and the surrounding areas because most of the industries are located in and around Chennai. This is an industrially backward area, but it can be developed. In order to develop the infrastructural facilities, I would like to urge upon the Central Government to modernise and expand the Tuticorin Airport which is nearer to Nangureri Special Economic Zone. Provision should be made for low cost power generation. Power generation is very important in the development of these industries. There is one proposal for pipeline natural gas connection from Krishna – Godavari basin via Tirunelveli and other neighbouring areas. There should be upgradation of the Colachel port which is close to the international shipping route. The other point is the doubling of the Kanyakumari – Tirunelveli – Madurai railway line. If doubling of this line is done and also the electrification, then it will help in the development of industries in this area.
So, I would like to most humbly urge upon the Union Government to take necessary steps to allocation of adequate funds for the above projects for the development of infrastructure at Nangureri Special Economic Zone and also to assist the Government of Tamil Nadu to expedite the above projects.