IT-SEZs likely to attract Rs 3500 cr investment in 5 years: TN CM

Chief Minister Mr M Karunanidhi on Saturday inaugurated IT-SEZs in Madurai and Tirunelveli districts set up at a cost of over Rs 100 crore and said they were likely to attract an investment of nearly Rs 3,500 crore in the next five years, besides ensuring employment for thousands.

These projects were part of the government’s decision to attract IT investments in Tier-II cities like Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchirappally, he said inaugurating the SEZs via video conferencing from here.

Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT) had invested Rs 32 crore on Ilandaikulam and Rs 45 crore on Vadapalanchi IT-SEZs at Madurai, Mr Karunanidhi said adding these two are expected to attract Rs 1400 crore investment and create 1.5 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities in the next five years. A total of five IT/ITES companies are scheduled to be established here, he added.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated the 500-acre IT-SEZ at Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli with an ELCOT investment of Rs 50 crore and said it would attract an expected investment of Rs 2000 crore.

He also inaugurated the State Data Centre at Perungudi in Chennai and said the Central-State initiative had come up at a cost of a little over Rs 60 crore.