The Government of Puducherry has been making considerable
efforts to attract large investments into the Union Territory of Puducherry.
It has undertaken several infrastructural projects, from time to time,
in order to integrate the UT with the rest of the nation and improve the
quality of life of the people. Puducherry is easily accessible through
airways, roadways, railways and waterways. It is well connected to all
districts and major towns of various States like Tamilnadu, Karnataka,
Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Besides, existence of an efficient power supply
system and excellent telecom network in the UT makes it a preferred destination
for the investors.
Roadways
Puducherry is best accessible by road, either by bus or
by taxi. It has a total road length of 2398 km. A network of all weather
metalled roads connecting every village exists in the territory. National
Highway NH-45A connects Puducherry to the major towns of Southern India,
especially Chennai, Bangalore and Tiruchirapalli. Puducherry and Chennai
are well linked through East Coast Road (ECR). There are frequent buses,
almost every 15 minutes in the day, from Chennai’s new bus stand
in Koyembedu. There are also frequent buses to Puducherry from places
like Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Coimbatore, etc.
Railways
Puducherry has a limited railway network. Villupuram (Villianur)
is the nearest railway junction, which is fairly well connected to places
like Chennai, Madurai and Trichy. Puducherry is connected through a meter
gauge (being converted to broad gauge) railway line with Villupuram.
Aviation
Nearest International Airport is Chennai, which is around
162 km from Puducherry. Chennai has excellent connections with almost
all States/ cities in India as well as with countries like Europe, USA,
Middle East and South East Asia. Other nearest Airports are:- Trichy Airport
(220 kms); Bangalore (320 kms) and Madurai. Karaikal can be reached from
Tiruchirapalli Airport which is 75 kms from Karaikal. Mahe can be reached
from Calicut Airport which is 70 Kms from Mahe. While, Yanam is about
200 Kms from Vishakapatnam Airport.
Waterways
Puducherry has a minor port on the East Coast of India,
located between two major Indian ports, namely, Chennai and Tuticorin.
This minor port is an open roadstead anchorage port situated about 170
kms south of Chennai (11 degree 56' North Latitude and 79 degree 50' East
Longitude) and is suitable for lighterage operations during fair weather
months (February to September). This is being modernised with container
handling facilities and storing infrastructure. Also, Puducherry is situated
close to several other ports of India like Nagapattinam, Kakinada, Vishakapatnam
and Cochin.
Power
Being a part of the southern-grid, adequate power has been
allocated to Union Territory of Puducherry. The power demand of the Union
Territory, including that of the four regions of Puducherry, Karaikal,
Mahe and Yanam, is 382.9 MW during peak period. This power requirement
is met by availing share of power from the Central Generating Stations;
by purchasing power from the neighbouring State Electricity Boards, namely,
Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and Kerala State Electricity Board; and from
the Pondicherry Power Corporation Limited (Karaikal).
The transmission network of the Union Territory consists
of 2 numbers of 230 KV sub-stations, 14 numbers of 110/22-11 KV sub-station
and 1 number of 132/11 KV sub-station. The power is wheeled along 134.59
Kms of 230 KV Lines, 35.87 Kms of 132 KV Lines and 206.073 Kms of 110
KV Lines.
Telecom
Puducherry is a part of the Global Information Highway.
Good telecom infrastructure including cellular, pager, ISDN, and internet
services are available. Puducherry has recorded 92730 numbers of telephone
lines and holds 31 telephone exchanges. The tele-density in UT is 64 lines
per 1000 persons.
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