Corporate honchos on Monday exhorted the government to expedite infrastructure development projects in Tamil Nadu so as to meet the goals laid out in the Vision 2023 document unveiled in March this year.
Welcoming industry delegates to a day-long brain-storming session on ‘Accelerating infrastructure development through PPP for Vision 2023’, organised by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here, Rafiq Ahmed, chairman, FICCI, TNSC, said the CM’s Vision-2023, would ensure that TN became the numero uno in all spheres in 11 years. Ahmed stressed the need for a roadmap for effective implementation of infrastructure projects, estimated to cost around $330 billion, envisaged in the document. A study showed that TN was one of the favoured investment destinations in the world, he said. The State had the highest growth rate (9.39 per cent) compared to Karnataka (6.44 percent), Andhra Pradesh (6.1 per cent), Kerala (7.8 per cent) and the national rate of 6.75 per cent. The state should strive to achieve self-sufficiency in power, he added.
Stating that inadequate infrastructure was a major impediment to rapid growth, Ashok R Thakker, convener, Infrastructure Panel, FICCI, stressed the need for maximum expansion in the area with a combination of private and public sector partnerships (PPP). Due to power shortage in the state, he said Central excise collections had dropped by 30 per cent and industries were suffering. Another problem was tardy implementation of projects, he said, citing the delay in construction of Ennore terminal.
In his power-point presentation of Vision-2023, V Sriram, chief operating officer, ImaCS, said, “The document envisaged 42 per cent investment from the private sector, 30 per cent Central and 28 per cent of State share in infrastructure in 2023,” he added.
Advisor to FICCI president P Murari said to overcome the question of rehabilitation of displaced persons, the FICCI had suggested to the Centre that instead of rich and agricultural land, waste and non-arable lands be allocated for energy development.
Ravindra Sanna Reddy, managing director, Sri City Ltd, also spoke on the occasion.