Tamil Nadu’s logistics infrastructure performs strongly, surpassing national and coastal averages in most areas

Tamil Nadu’s logistics infrastructure performs strongly overall, surpassing national and coastal averages in most areas. However, the ‘adequacy and quality of rail infrastructure’ falls slightly below both averages, according to the 2024 Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS), which provides an in-depth comparative analysis of logistics performance across States and Union Territories. First- and last-mile connectivity’ and ‘adequacy and quality of terminal infrastructure’ align with national and coastal average scores, respectively, showing consistent performance with scope for improvement, says the report released on Friday. In 2024, Tamil Nadu maintained its position as an ‘Achiever’ within the coastal group, along with Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, and Karnataka, showcasing consistent commitment to logistics efficiency. The State outperforms the national average across all indicators, with its performance either better or on par across the board. However, it needs to invest in rail and terminal infrastructure, the report said. The State’s performance is reinforced by targeted interventions and the implementation of projects in the logistics sector. Tamil Nadu is perceived positively in ‘Ease of Government Facilitation,’ performing better than the national average. Its performance in ‘Ease of Entry from Neighbouring States/UTs’ and ‘Quality of Grievance Redressal Mechanisms’ matches both national and coastal averages, indicating consistent results with potential for further improvement, the report said. Tamil Nadu is spearheading significant logistics infrastructure initiatives to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency. It is developing multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs) in Chennai (Mappedu) and Coimbatore, with the Mappedu MMLP being India’s first. This ₹1,500-crore project is being executed in collaboration with Reliance Industries under a DBFOT model. New greenfield projects, such as the Cuddalore Port, the Parandur greenfield airport, and the Hosur greenfield airport, are further strengthening the logistics network. Tamil Nadu is also repurposing unused factory sheds in industrial