The first phase of the upcoming multimodal logistics park at Mappedu, near Chennai, is set to become operational by February 2026, according to Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited. This initial phase, backed by an investment of ₹350 crore, is part of a three-phase infrastructure rollout totaling ₹1,400 crore.
Paliwal also revealed plans for a similar multimodal logistics facility in Coimbatore, citing the region’s export potential. Chennai and Kamarajar ports currently handle about 20% of the export cargo originating from Coimbatore and surrounding districts, underscoring the str Sunil Paliwal highlighted growing opportunities to expand the handling of engineering and project cargo moving eastward, recommending strategic partnerships with shipping lines to stock empty containers in Coimbatore—improving accessibility for exporters in the region.
During FY 2024–25, Chennai and Kamarajar ports jointly processed more than 100 million tonnes of cargo, with each port surpassing ₹1,000 crore in operational income. Chennai Port features two container terminals developed via public-private partnerships and boasts a handling capacity of 3 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). Meanwhile, Kamarajar Port is expanding its infrastructure, adding a second terminal that will elevate its container capacity to 1.4 million TEUs.ategic importance of expanding logistics capacity in southern India.
