The Assembly on Saturday (January 24, 2025) passed the Tamil Nadu Special Area Development Authorities Bill, 2026, which seeks to empower the State Government to notify any area as a Special Development Area and constitute a Special Development Authority for the purpose of preparing a master plan for comprehensive and sustainable infrastructure development in such areas.
The State Government proposed to establish a Special Area Development Authority for areas such as Mamallapuram and Kanniyakumari, considering their historical, ecological and tourism importance in the first phase.
The legislation was passed following the announcement made in the Tamil Nadu Budget 2025–26 that an investment of ₹300 crore will be made to develop modern infrastructure facilities in major tourist hubs and to ensure effective coordination and implementation of major projects in collaboration with various departments.
The Special Area Development Authority shall consist of the respective District Collector as Chairperson, and an IAS officer nominated by the government as Chief Executive Officer, who will act as Member Secretary. It will also include one member each representing 12 government departments and agencies. The government shall nominate four additional members, apart from special invitees.
The authority shall prepare the Special Area Master Plan with long term strategies for sustainable development of the area including comprehensive planning and infrastructure development and action plan.
The government shall also constitute a State-level Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary, with secretaries of various departments as ex officio members, to coordinate and monitor the activities of the authorities and to provide guidance on matters related to the development of Special Development Areas.
Published – January 24, 2026 03:02 pm IST
