Tamil Nadu’s growing industrial water challenge
The Hindu - Opinion · Published 11 November 2026 · Last updated
Tamil Nadu ranks third on NITI Aayog's Investment Friendliness Index for July 2026, but landlocked and rain-shadow districts face acute industrial water supply constraints that require stronger governance and prudent consumption.
Key points
- Tamil Nadu ranks third on NITI Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) released in July 2026, positioned behind Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- The NITI Aayog report identifies limited international air connectivity, Chennai Port infrastructure constraints, and inadequate industrial water supply in landlocked and rain-shadow districts as key lacunae for the state.
- The state achieves a high MoU conversion rate, a 22% better-than-average Air Quality Index (AQI) score, and strong disaster preparedness perception scores.
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and India signed a $169 million loan to provide water and sanitation services in Tamil Nadu to address recurring droughts and erratic monsoons.
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced in the Assembly that a 400 million litres per day (MLD) seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant would be established at Kattupalli village in Minjur at an estimated cost of ₹4,800 crore.
- The proposed desalination plant in Minjur aims to augment drinking water supply to north Chennai, Avadi, Ponneri, and surrounding regions.
- The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board will soon appoint a consultant to conduct a pre-feasibility study and prepare a detailed project report for the Minjur desalination plant.
Background
- Tamil Nadu has faced recurring droughts and erratic monsoons in the recent past, resulting in severe water scarcity and urban flooding.
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) program forms part of its support to the state’s Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 to provide universal access to water and sanitation and develop world-class cities in high-performing industrial corridors.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: The Hindu - Opinion