TNIDB Drives Development with PPP Projects Across Tamil Nadu

However, there is marked change, where the infrastructure development board of the state the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board (TNIDB), has been sweeping through the state with very modern airports, green energy projects, waste management, public conveniences, etc, under the PPP model. Enhancing efficiency, cost-cutting, and better maintenance of public and industrial infrastructure is the end goal, said TNIDB CEO Pooja Kulkarni.

The new greenfield airport at Parandur is among the flagship projects to be done in this model. Designed to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually, it could eventually serve 100 million passengers annually. “This new airport is PPP, we want to ensure the connectivity and infrastructure is in place in the state,” Kulkarni said.

In the energy segment, TNIDB is prioritizing “tariff-based competitive bidding” for projects across thermal energy, transmission and battery storage each worth between ₹2,000 crore and ₹3,000 crore. The board is also evaluating a range of pump storage projects via the private-public partnership (PPP) model.

Waste management is yet another critical area for TNIDB. A ₹1,000 crore waste-to-energy project announced recently by the Greater Chennai Corporation is under the bid evaluation stage. Projects for bio-CNG are also currently being set up in Salem and Tambaram at an investment of ₹ 40 Crore to ₹ 50 crore each. Apart from managing the wet waste, the projects help municipal corporations generate revenue through the payment of royalties by operators. Madurai and Coimbatore too have similar waste management project plans.

Plug-and-play facilities are also being developed for industrial infrastructure. Such projects can have a significant impact, as evidenced by a recent initiative we concluded at SIPCOT Park in Vallam Vadagal on a revenue-sharing model, opening the doors for more such projects. TNIDB is also considering the development and maintenance of entire industrial parks under the PPP model.

Eco-tourism is on TNIDB’s radar too, with some projects in the Nilgiris and elsewhere under evaluation, pending clearances. In contrast, urban infrastructure is being improved soon for parking facilities and Public toilets in Chennai through PPP-based projects. The plan is to move to other cities.

One of the very significant success stories is the 24×7 water supply project in Coimbatore, which was awarded in 2018. The project is now functioning on a PPP model that has improved the efficiency of water distribution from 40-50 % to 90 %. Such projects are now also planned for Salem and parts of Chennai.

All PPP projects worth more than ₹10 crore need TNIDB vetting, as per the norms. “As the State is adopting the PPP model for various sectors and infrastructure development, the same can be implemented for Tamil Nadu,” Kulkarni remarked.