With the Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram stating that the Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor would get all necessary help from the Centre, the project is set to pick up pace.
In his Budget speech, Chidambaram also mentioned about the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor project for which he said the Government would provide, if required, additional funds during 2013-14 from its share in the overall outlay for the project.
The feasibility study for the corridor project is likely to be through a dedicated fund of the Official Development Assistance.
It is learnt that Andhra Pradesh wants the corridor to be extended to the Krishnapatnam port, while Karnataka wants Chitradurga district to be included as another manufacturing hub is being planned there.
Initially, the focus will be airports in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, ports in Chennai and Ennore and the outer ring roads as well as the expressway connecting Bangalore and Chennai.
Karnataka Government officials have already said that with the Dhabol-Bangalore gas 1,000 km pipeline already in place, it will add to the potential of the overall industrial scene as there is a possibility of extending the project to Mangalore as well.
giriprakash.k@thehindu.co.in