Recent Developments in Key Sectors

• Budget allocations for FY26
  • Rs. 18,456 crore (US$ 2.17 billion) has been designated for capital expenditure on roads and bridges.
  • Rs. 7,546 crore (US$ 887.8 million) has been designated towards power subsidy for domestic consumers.
  • Rs. 2,000 crore (US$ 235.3 million) has been made for the implementation of the Kalaignar Nagarpura Membattu Thittam, along with Rs. 850 crore (US$ 100.0 million) designated for the Singara Chennai 2.0 scheme.
  • Rs. 13,974 crore (US$ 1.64 billion) has been allocated for government secondary schools and Rs. 14,328 crore (US$ 1.69 billion) for government primary schools.
  • Rs. 5,926 crore (US$ 697.2 million) allocated towards allopathic urban health services.
• Tamil Nadu has received one of the highest railway budget allocations among all states, amounting to Rs. 6,362 crore (US$ 0.76 billion). The state also introduced six Vande Bharat trains and the development of 77 model Amrit Rail stations, highlighting the state's significant investment in enhancing its railway infrastructure.
• Tamil Nadu got an outlay of Rs 6,331 crore (US$ 764.61 million) for various rail development projects during the fiscal 2024-25.
• SIPCOT (State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited) will develop an Integrated Textile Park, spanning 111 Acres in Salem district with an estimated investment of Rs 800 Crore (US$ 96.62 million).
• A 3-storey industrial complex, spanning 5 Acres will be developed at Sakkimangalam Industrial Estate in Madurai district by TANSIDCO (Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation Limited) at Rs118 Crore (US$ 14.25 million).
• On October 20, 2022, the Tamil Nadu School education department conducted counselling sessions for the students who are yet to join higher education courses, including those who failed their Class 12 exams.
• In October 2022, Tourism Minister Mr. M. Mathiventhan stated that to boost tourism, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department had identified revenue land close to forests in 10 districts for glamping and adventure sports.
• In September 2022, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and AYUSH, inaugurated projects worth Rs. 231.21 crore (US$ 28 million) at the V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Tamil Nadu.
• According to the Good Governance Index 2021, Tamil Nadu ranked first in terms of judiciary and public safety.
• The state ranked fourth in NITI Aayog’s ‘Export Preparedness Index 2021’, which assesses states on parameters such as policy, business ecosystem, export ecosystem and quantum of exports.
• In May 2022, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on Thursday laid the foundation stones for the redevelopment of five Railway stations in Tamil Nadu - Chennai Egmore, Rameswaram, Madurai, Katpadi, and Kanyakumari, at a total cost of Rs. 1,800 crore (US$ 218.53 million).
• In May 2022, Mr. M Madhiventhan, the State Tourism Minister, made a bunch of tourism-related announcements:
  • Construction of a ‘Spiritual and Cultural Eco-park’ on the East Coast Road, in collaboration with the Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE), at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore (US$ 193,362).
  • Every year, in partnership with the state horticulture department, a summer festival including flower, fruit, vegetable, and palm goods exhibition and show would be held in Chennai at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh (US$ 32,227).
  • In Chengalpattu, the Poondi reservoir and the Kolavai Lake will be developed as a tourist destination with activities including as water sports, boat rides, adventure activities, and bird watching decks.
• In May 2022, Southern Railway announced that it will set up solar power plants at 18 stations in northern Tamil Nadu to reduce emissions.
• In May 2022, Acme Solar Holdings Ltd announced that it was planning to set up an integrated seven gigawatt (GW) renewable energy and green ammonia production facility in Tamil Nadu at an estimated cost of about US$ 6 billion.
• In April 2022, Chief Minister Mr. M K Stalin stated that Tamil Nadu had signed 130 MoUs worth a total investment of Rs. 68,375 crore (US$ 8.3 billion), which has the potential to create jobs for over 2.05 lakh people.
• The state had 54 operational SEZs for IT/ITeS as of January 2024.
• Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of cotton yarn, accounting for 41% of India’s production. During October-September 2019-20(E), the state was estimated to produce 600,000 bales** of cotton.
• Software exports from Tamil Nadu have reached an all-time high of $ 4.8 billion surpassing all other states in the country as of October 31, 2023.