TN to implement Rs 3,410-cr transmission system improvement project

Japan's JICA to provide loan for the project

The Tamil Nadu state government on Wednesday said it was planning to implement the State transmission system improvement project during the current year. For the project, the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) is offering a loan amounting to Rs 3,410-crore.

In this regard, chief minister Jayalalithaa said, the project will help to strengthen the power transmission network in the State. Given the additional power generation capacity of 6,000 Mw, which is expected to be commissioned within the next one or two years, this project will be a critical supplementary component in the efficient distribution of power.

During her meeting with the president of JICA Akihiko Tanaka here on today, she has asked for JICA's co-operation in the formulation of Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme and indicated that the programme came in for special mention in the bilateral communiqué issued during the recent Japan visit of the PM Manmohan Singh to the Japan.

The chief minister said that her government hopes JICA will consider partnering with government of Tamil Nadu to implement some of the projects envisaged in the 'Vision 2023' document.

Meanwhile, the JICA president indicated that Tamil Nadu has the potential to become the hub of industrial growth in the Indian Ocean region and promised continued support for industrial projects in the State.

She added JICA would consider financial assistance for the planned Chennai Waterways Restoration Project, State Highways Development Project, Chennai Urban Infrastructure Upgradation, and the Madurai-Thoothukudi Industrial Corridor mentioned in the Vision 2023 document.

"A substantial portion of investment under the Tamil Nadu Vision 2023 would be under the PPP mode,” she added.