A Master plan for Coimbatore:STALIN

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin today announced that a Master Plan would be framed for greater development of the district and said Rs 1,132 crore has been set aside for expansion of the Coimbatore Airport and to raise it to international standards. 
Mr Stalin, along with his ministers, held elaborate discussions with representatives of 33 industrial systems of Coimbatore district.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Airport expansion works had slowed down over the last 10 years and his Government would leave no stone unturned to expedite the work. A production park would be set up in Sulur for manufacturing of Airspace protection systems. 

Talking about the master plan for the district’s development, he said a team of experts would work on the plan and a research park would be set up at the Bharathiar University for the purpose. He commended the industrialists of the district for their immense contribution to the state’s economic growth and development. He listed out the various measures being taken up by the State Government for the development of the culturally and industrially rich city.   

Stating that the district was a hub for several industries, including textiles, automobiles and jewellery, he said the Information Technology parks in the city have gained importance worldwide for making a mark in the outsourcing industry. 
Mr Stalin said Coimbatore stood second in software development, next to Chennai in the state, and pointed out that of the 5 investment conferences held in the sector so far, one was held in Coimbatore. Stating that the world now looked upon China and Taiwan for chip development, the Chief Minister called upon the IT sector in the state to focus on this area and said the state should give tough competition to these countries in the future. Addressing the issue of hike in the prices of thread, he said people were losing jobs due to several companies shutting shops and informed that he had drawn the Union Government’s attention in this regard and pleaded to control the rise in prices. 
He said special attention was being paid to micro and small scale industries and said the Government planned to set aside Rs 100 crore towards loan disbursement without collateral to aid these small businesses.

Praising the rope manufacturing sector, he announced that a Rope Trading Development Corporation would be set up in the district. Stating that Industrial Parks were already being set up in five districts, he said the Government planned to set up an Industrial Park in the city under the private sector.

During the discussion, representatives of the 33 industrial systems put forth their grievances and demands to the Chief Minister. Their demands included a control in the prices hike of raw materials, set up more industrial hubs in the district, ease trading and GST process.Ministers Thangam Thennarasu, Senthil Balaji, Anbarasan and District Collector Sameeran and other officials participated in the meeting.