ADB approves $484 million loan for Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor

In a major fillip to the Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor (CKIC), the Asian Development Bank has approved a $484 million loan to improve transport connectivity and road maintenance.

The CKIC is part of India’s East Coast Economic Corridor, which stretches from West Bengal to Tamil Nadu and connects India to the production networks of South-East and East Asia.

The project will upgrade about 590 km of state highways in the CKIC influence areas. Climate change adaptation measures will be incorporated in the highway upgrades, including improved drainage, raised road embankments in critical sections, and resizing of bridges and culverts, said a press release from the bank.

The project will strengthen road safety improvement programmes through advanced technologies for road monitoring and enforcement. In addition, the project will support improved planning capacity of Tamil Nadu’s highways and minor ports department, the release said.

“The development of the CKIC is part of ADB’s commitment to the government of India to stimulate growth in industrial corridors by linking industrial growth centers and ports hinterland along the coastline and integrating regional value chains,” said ADB Principal Transport Specialist for South Asia Kanzo Nakai.

Also read: With Budget push, EPS goes whole hog on infra projects in TN

“The project aims to increase the manufacturing industry’s participation in production networks and global value chains, as well as create jobs along the corridor,” said Nakai.

Tamil Nadu has a strong state economy with several manufacturing industries, including automobiles, engineering, pharmaceuticals, garments, and aerospace. However, the south and central areas of the state, which are away from current industrial hubs around Chennai, need development and better connectivity for balanced and inclusive growth. This is the primary objective of the project linking into the CKIC.

The ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members — 49 from the region.

Also read: How COVID-19 lockdown has left TN’s rural economy high and dry