TN's Rameshwaram To Get New Airport; Maritime Policy Announced

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu unveiled the state’s Budget for 2025-26 on Friday, spotlighting a new airport in Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram district, aimed at boosting tourism and economic growth in South Tamil Nadu. Presenting the budget in the Legislative Assembly, Thenarasu outlined a vision blending infrastructure, industry, and cultural preservation.

To reclaim Tamil Nadu’s maritime legacy, the Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025 was introduced, targeting the state’s emergence as a global shipbuilding hub. This initiative will drive innovation in ship design, hull fabrication, and engine production, promising 30,000 jobs in districts like Cuddalore and Thoothukudi, while bolstering the MSME sector. Additionally, a state-of-the-art bioscience park near Chennai was announced to position Tamil Nadu as a leader in biosimilars and therapeutics.

Featuring advanced labs, testing centers, and plug-and-play facilities, the park aims to attract high-value investments. The Industries, Investment Promotion, and Commerce Department received Rs 3,915 crore to fuel these ambitions.

On the cultural front, the government plans archaeological excavations at eight Tamil Nadu sites—Keezhadi (Sivaganga), Pattanamarudur (Thoothukudi), Karivalamvanthanallur (Tenkasi), Nagapattinam, Manikkollai (Cuddalore), Adichanur (Kallakurichi), Vellalur (Coimbatore), and Thelunganur (Salem)—and three neighboring states: Palur (Odisha), Vengi (Andhra Pradesh), and Maski (Karnataka).

These efforts aim to unearth ancient Tamil heritage. Further promoting Tamil culture, a Rs 1 crore prize was set for the World Tamil Olympiad, alongside plans to translate the Thirukkural into 45 global languages.

With these measures, Tamil Nadu seeks to catalyze economic progress, preserve its rich history, and cement its status as an industrial and cultural powerhouse.