Tamil Nadu is poised to redefine urban freight movement in its two major cities, Chennai and Coimbatore, as work progresses on city logistics plans aimed at transforming the way goods are transported, stored, and distributed. At a recent session on the State Logistics Policy, key stakeholders from government and industry laid out a vision that places sustainable, efficient, and technology-enabled logistics infrastructure at the heart of Tamil Nadu’s industrial strategy.
The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), leading the initiative, is currently drafting city logistics plans for both cities. These plans are expected to align with national objectives of reducing carbon emissions, promoting multi-modal transport, and supporting India’s evolving industrial base. TIDCO’s Managing Director, Sandeep Nanduri, revealed that the Phase 1 of the much-anticipated Multimodal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Mappedu near Chennai is scheduled to be operational by 2027, bringing integrated warehousing, rail, and road access under one roof. In Coimbatore, land acquisition for a similar logistics park is reaching its final stages. Both facilities are envisioned as game-changers in the state’s freight ecosystem, offering an organised alternative to the current patchwork of warehouses and delivery networks that contribute to road congestion, high logistics costs, and increased emissions.
Complementing these developments is a cutting-edge net zero ambient cold storage warehouse planned by the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) at Sriperumbudur. With an investment of ₹60 crore, the 1.3 lakh sq ft facility will cater especially to the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors in the industrial corridor. CONCOR is targeting an April 2026 launch, and has already begun engaging multinational companies interested in long-term partnerships. While Tamil Nadu’s logistics infrastructure is considered adequate by many industry players, State Industries Secretary V Arun Roy pointed out that systemic issues like congestion, port connectivity delays, and gaps in cold-chain infrastructure must be addressed to unlock the state’s full economic potential. The upcoming plans are expected to directly respond to these challenges by integrating climate-conscious design with data-driven delivery systems.
Among innovative solutions proposed at the event was the use of Chennai’s expanding Metro network for cargo transport. I. Jeyakumar of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) noted that leveraging metro corridors for air cargo movement to the airport during off-peak hours could alleviate road traffic, reduce delivery times, and cut down urban emissions—a win-win for both passengers and logistics operators. Industry voices such as Chemplast Sanmar’s Ramkumar Shankar and Okanagan College’s Neil Fassina stressed the importance of a collaborative approach in upgrading Chennai’s airport cargo operations. A current study by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry is expected to highlight constraints and propose actionable solutions for cargo handling efficiencies.
Tamil Nadu’s logistics roadmap is emerging as a model for how regional governments can balance economic ambition with climate responsibility. As the state pushes forward on its infrastructure and logistics transformation, the emphasis remains clear: cities must not only move people better, but move goods smarter—faster, cleaner, and more sustainably.
