Tamil Nadu is set to modernize its key ports—Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port (Ennore), and VO Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin), with a Rs 1.2 lakh crore investment. The project aims to improve port capacity, optimise cargo handling, and enhance last-mile connectivity.

The upgrades will address longstanding bottlenecks in capacity, vessel frequency, and transportation. Key improvements include deeper drafts, new berths, expanded yards, and better rail and road systems. The largest investment, Rs 42,000 crore, is earmarked for Chennai Port, a critical hub for automobile exports.

The project is expected to support the state's diverse industrial sectors such as automobiles, textiles, electronics, and aerospace. Hyundai Motor India has been relying on Chennai Port for global shipments since 1999. "The expansion is essential for boosting exports and industrial competitiveness," said a port official.