CII Urges Fast-Track Airport Expansion, Key Infrastructure Projects at Meeting with Industries Minister

Coimbatore: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore Zone, under the aegis of Coimbatore NEXT, organised a Special Interactive Breakfast Meeting with Tamil Nadu Minister for Industries and Investment Promotion S. Keerthana at a private hotel on Avinashi Road in Coimbatore, presenting a comprehensive roadmap to accelerate the economic growth of Coimbatore and the western region of the State.

The meeting was presided over by Ravichandran Purushothaman, Chairman, CII Southern Region, and C. Devarajan, Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore District Collector Pawan Kumar G. Giriyappanavar, along with chairpersons and senior executives of various industry and business associations, was also part of the delegation that presented the industry’s representations to the Minister.

During the interaction, Coimbatore NEXT outlined its long-term vision to strengthen the region's investment ecosystem by enhancing industrial infrastructure, creating high-quality employment opportunities and positioning Coimbatore as a preferred destination for advanced manufacturing, Global Capability Centres (GCCs), logistics, innovation and other emerging sectors. It also stressed the need to develop a robust industrial land bank, establish new industrial estates and attract sunrise industries to meet the aspirations of the region's growing skilled workforce.

A key focus of the meeting was the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport, with industry representatives submitting a detailed representation on the project. They urged the government to expedite interim expansion works, improve approach road connectivity, construct the proposed integrated terminal, complete the remaining land acquisition process, enhance domestic and international flight connectivity and complete the airport boundary wall to facilitate future expansion.

Infrastructure development also featured prominently in the discussions. Coimbatore NEXT called for the early implementation of several strategic road projects, including the Western Bypass (Phases II and III), the proposed 81-km Eastern Bypass by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), widening of the L&T Bypass Road, improvement of the Chengapalli–Salem stretch of the Coimbatore–Salem corridor and the proposed Coimbatore–Karur Expressway. The industry body said these projects are critical to sustaining the region's industrial growth and improving connectivity.

On the rail infrastructure front, the industry urged the State Government to take up with the Ministry of Railways the redevelopment of Coimbatore Junction, one of Southern Railway's highest revenue-generating stations. It also sought the establishment of additional train maintenance facilities, stating that enhanced maintenance infrastructure would facilitate the introduction of new train services, improve national connectivity and support the mobility needs of the region's large industrial workforce.

The recently released Coimbatore Master Plan also came up for discussion, particularly its impact on industrial development, land use planning and the MSME sector. Industry representatives sought balanced policy measures that would support manufacturing growth while ensuring sustainable urban development.

Responding to the representations, Minister S. Keerthana assured the participants that the government would take concrete, time-bound steps to address the key priorities raised during the meeting.