A proposed textile park to be developed over 1,053 acres at Virudhunagar is expected to attract investments worth Rs. 10,000 crore (US $ 1.08 billion), according to R. Gandhi, Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, Tamil Nadu.
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day International Textile Conference 360 in Coimbatore, the Minister said the Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park at Virudhunagar would be supported by common infrastructure developed at a cost of Rs. 1,894 crore (US $ 206 million). He noted that the project was expected to significantly strengthen the textile ecosystem and spur economic development in the southern districts of the State.
At a roadshow held on the sidelines of the conference, A. Catherine Saranya, Executive Director of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT), outlined details of the first phase of development. She said common infrastructure, including roads, storm water drains, street lighting and a five-million-litres-per-day effluent treatment plant, would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs. 364 crore (US $ 39.60 million).
Saranya added that 600.83 acres would be made available for industrial development, with designated zones for spinning, garmenting, textile processing, knitting and technical textile units. The proposed facilities would also include a 20 MW solar power plant, a 10,000-bed dormitory, a Centre of Excellence, a product display area and a skill development centre. She stated that the objective was to create a comprehensive logistics ecosystem to support the industry.
During the interaction, industry representatives raised concerns over land and power costs and emphasised the need for consistency in policy implementation. Responding to these concerns, Saranya said SIPCOT was examining the possibility of functioning as a power distributor, which could enable industries within the park to access electricity at more competitive rates.
