COIMBATORE: Confederation of Indian Industry’s wing Coimbatore NXT on Sunday welcomed chief minister C Joseph Vijay’s request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite key infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu and urged the Union and state govts to consider extending the Chennai–Jolarpet high-speed rail corridor to Coimbatore.J Sathish Kumar, a core committee member of Coimbatore NXT, said a nearly 300-km high-speed rail link between Jolarpet and Coimbatore would significantly improve connectivity between Chennai and western Tamil Nadu. He supported the proposal for a high-speed rail corridor between Chennai and Kanyakumari.Coimbatore NXT welcomed the proposed six-lane expressways connecting Chengalpet with Trichy, and Trichy with Coimbatore via Karur. It also backed the reconsideration of metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai.“Areas such as Palladam and Kangayam en route to Karur have dry land and sufficient land availability. Improved road and rail connectivity will help attract major industries and large factories to the region, which already has a well-developed industrial ecosystem,” Sathish said.He said the proposed corridors would benefit manufacturing and automobile hubs located along the route and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods. Better connectivity would also support industrial expansion in western Tamil Nadu, he added.Coimbatore NXT said the infrastructure projects would reduce travel time, improve urban mobility, strengthen regional connectivity and attract investments. The initiatives could also enhance industrial competitiveness, generate employment and improve the quality of life across the state.It urged the Union and state govts to ensure timely approvals, adequate funding and speedy implementation of the projects.
