Start works on Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia projects immediately, says trade body

Thoothukudi Chamber of Commerce urges TN Govt. to expedite green hydrogen, ammonia projects & International Furniture Park. District-level conclave held to present demands & suggestions. Desalination plant, ECR widening, tourism potential to be tapped. 98 industries proposed ₹1,583.80 cr. investments to create 5,717 jobs.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Thoothukudi chapter, has urged the Tamil Nadu Government to expedite the steps for starting work on green hydrogen and green ammonia project in this coastal town, besides ensuring the early commissioning of the International Furniture Park that largely remains on paper till now.

 As the government has proposed to organise its two-day Global Investors’ Meet (GIM) in Chennai on January 7 and 8 to attract industrial investments in the State, the tiny, small and medium industries are allowed to showcase their products to identify new domestic and global buyers. Hence, the district-level conclave was organised here on Thursday in which representatives of trade bodies participated to present their demands and suggestions.

Participating in the meeting, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Thoothukudi chapter D.R. Kodeeswaran said Thoothukudi, having excellent road, rail, sea and air connectivity, should get at the earliest the green hydrogen plant and green ammonia project as announced by the State Government. Moreover, the Tamil Nadu Government should take all-out efforts to start at the earliest the much-hyped international furniture park in Thoothukudi, which is estimated to have export potential of over $125 billion.

 The renowned industrialist wanted the Tamil Nadu Government to exert pressure on the Union Government to declare VOC Port, Thoothukudi as ‘Transhipment Hub Port’ and the expedite the expansion of the Thoothukudi Airport so as to start at the earliest international flights to Sri Lanka and The Maldives.

“If these two demands are realised, it will attract international investors towards Thoothukudi in a big way,” Mr. Kodeeswaran noted.

 Since the port town’s residents and the industries are relying upon the Tamirabharani water for domestic and industrial needs, the Tamil Nadu Government should revive its announcement of establishing 60 million litres a day desalination plant at Mullakkaadu on Thoothukudi outskirts. Moreover, the 28 MLD sewage treatment plant should also be set-up as announced so that the treated water could be used for industrial purposes which will assuage the pressure on the perennial river and the proposed desalination plant as well, he said.

 While reminding the Tamil Nadu Government about its promises to set up the Chennai - Kanniyakumari Industrial Development Corridor, food park near Thoothukudi and the mini tidel park in the coastal town, Mr. Kodeeswaran wanted the government to expedite the work on setting up moringa (drumstick) export zone as the district’s southern parts had vast stretches of the cultivation of this vegetable.