Chennai: Industries Minister Keerthana on Monday told the Tamil Nadu Assembly that several SIPCOT industrial estates remain underdeveloped, with some locations resembling “vacant scrubland” due to inadequate facilities.
Replying to a question raised by former minister K.N. Nehru, the minister said the department is conducting inspections of SIPCOT estates across districts. During joint reviews with investors, she said, recurring demands included assured water supply, proper roads and street lighting.
Keerthana said road works have been carried out and approval has been granted for installing street lights. She added that some estates do not have CCTV cameras or even a substation, and investors have questioned how industries can be started without reliable power infrastructure.
Citing the Manapparai SIPCOT as an example, she said it has multiple shortcomings. To meet future electricity needs of industries, land has been identified and a deed executed for setting up a 110 kV substation, she said.
The minister also noted that in several places land has been acquired and kept aside but industries have not come up. She said the government is reviewing such sites, issuing tenders and carrying out works through the Chief Minister to change the situation.
