The second largest port in Tamil Nadu, VO Chidambaranar Port Trust (VOCPT) in Thoothukudi, has invited industries to set up port-led units on a long-term lease with plot base available of 1680 acres with the Port Trust. The port has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) in this regard.

4,427 acres of land bank is available with the port trust. The port is in the process of acquiring more land from the Tamil Nadu government to bolster development of port-led industries.

According to an Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by VOCPT, 1,680 acres of plots are available for lease on a long-term basis at a nominal lease rent for setting up the industries.

Tuticorin SPEEDZ (Tuticorin Smart Port Employment & Economic Development), part of the Sagarmala Port-led development program, has been set up to allocate land to investors. Industries such as marine food processing, grain mill products, apparel, chemical products, non-metallic mineral products, structural metal products, general purpose machinery, auto components and oil can be set up.

Land possession will be given within a short period. The port has taken up the process for environment clearance for land to promote industries. This speeds up set up process. The land will be available on lease.

VOC port is connected through road, rail and air to its hinterland. The national highway NH-45B connects the port with Madurai, Chennai and various parts of the country. NH-7A builds connectivity with Tirunelveli and directly to Trivandrum and Bengaluru.

The port is also connected through a broad-gauge railway line with southern parts through Madurai, Trichy, Chennai and Bengaluru. The nearest airport is in Thoothukudi, which is about 20 km from the port.

Interestingly, VOC port plans to set up a 5 MLD desalination plant for supply of potable water to the proposed industries. Power and water can be provided by the port at a prevailing rate during the implementation of the projects, stated the EoI.