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The development of multi-modal logistics parks in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Hosur – each equipped with automated warehousing, cold chain, bulk cargo handling and last mile delivery option — is “central to this strategy” says the report.Tamil Nadu‘s $1 trillion economy target will be driven by a future-ready focus on the automotive industry. According to the just-released State Planning Commission report (Powering Tamil Nadu’s Automotive Manufacturing Growth) the next phase of industrial growth in the state will come from a renewed focus on electric mobility, a cluster approach to ensure economies of scale for local manufacturing and a strong push towards exports that plug TN into the global supply chain.With a 70% share of India’s e-two wheeler production, an EV hub in Hosur, policy and capital subsidy from the state govt, TN is already a major EV centre. But the state is looking to push through a slew of new measures like creating new auto clusters beyond the Chennai – Oragadam – Sriperumbudur Belt.
“New clusters in Krishnagiri, Manallur and Tuticorin are being designed to support next generation auto manufacturing including EVs and EV components,” said the report. These are being equipped with R&D centres, training institutes, battery testing labs and common facilities for prototyping and innovation. For example, in Tuticorin a proposed EV cluster will leverage port connectivity for exports.
The EV clusters are important because it will allow the state to be a part of the entire EV sourcing value chain. This in turn would encourage local sourcing of cathode materials, lithium ion cells, power electronics and battery packs, said the report. That also ties in with the state’s efforts to plug into the global supply chain as more OEMs look at China plus one options for sourcing. The state govt wants to expand its export base “through focused interventions” including support for free trade warehousing zones plug and play export units and logistics optimization,” said the report.
Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin ports are being equipped with roll on /roll off (RoRo) terminals and dedicated automotive handling facilities to cut turnaround time. The state is also looking to use logistics infrastructure as a competitive advantage. The development of multi-modal logistics parks in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Hosur – each equipped with automated warehousing, cold chain, bulk cargo handling and last mile delivery option — is “central to this strategy” says the report.
Finally, the state’s EV push in manufacturing will also be tied into its urban mobility plans. Tamil Nadu plans to create EV cities with Chennai, Coimbatore, Salem and Trichy identified as cities where the entire transport system will move to electric mobility in this decade.
TN is also setting up “Mobility Innovation Zones” in designated areas near academic hubs and industrial parks to act as “regulatory sandboxes for emerging technologies” such as autonomous vehicles, drone delivery among others. Vehicle manufacturers and startups can use these hubs to test and commercially produce future technologies, said the report.
