Petrochemical Park Planned Near Madras

The proposed park will be spread over a 7,000 acre plot. The government has already commissioned the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute in Nagpur to conduct an environment impact study on the park site located near Pulicat lake and the sea.

The study will be submitted by end of next month, government officials said.

The government has kept the option of shifting the entire complex to Cuddalore, if the site selected in Ennore proves to be environmentally damaging. Ennore is the first choice as the satellite port facilities planned for the place will exclusively cater to bulk handling of dirty cargo, including chemicals and petrochemicals.

 

The government is scouting for consultants to identify the industries that will form part of the park.

Applications (from consultants) have already been received and the final choice will be made very soon, sources said.

Tami Nnadu Industrial Development Corporation, the premier state development agency, will be one of the promoters of the petrochemical park coming up near Madras.

At present, it is scouting for a foreign collaborator. Global construction majors have been sounded out and the initial response has been positive, said sources.

Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation plans to rope in Small Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamilnadu, a state government agency specialising in developing industrial estates, to acquire land in Ennore.

In the first stage, the corporation proposes to concentrate on acquiring land. The second phase will involve scouting for a partner who will bring in the requisite finances for the project.