Revised Budget for 2026-27: TVK govt to set up AI, innovation city 'Arivagam' in TN
Chennai, Aug 5
The Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government in Tamil Nadu will establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence and innovation city, named 'Arivagam', as part of a major push to position the State as a hub for AI, deep-tech industries and technology-driven investment.
Announcing the initiative while presenting the Revised Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly on Wednesday, Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said Arivagam would bring together advanced research, education, skill development, innovation and industrial infrastructure in an integrated ecosystem.
The proposed city will house an AI university, an international skill development centre, a semiconductor hardware testing laboratory and multi-domain innovation incubators.
Modern residential and supporting infrastructure will also be developed as part of the project.
The government has allocated ₹5 crore to conduct a feasibility study for Arivagam, which is expected to support the development of emerging technologies while attracting investments and creating high-skilled employment opportunities.
Wilson also announced that the government would unveil a new Tamil Nadu Industrial Policy aimed at fostering innovation and technology-led growth.
The policy will focus on supporting emerging industrial sectors, promoting sustainable development and strengthening the State's export capabilities.
The Budget also outlined new social welfare and healthcare initiatives. For senior citizens, the government will introduce 1,000 Mobile Geriatric Treatment Centres in phases across Tamil Nadu.
Each unit will have a dedicated team comprising a doctor, nurse and physiotherapist. The mobile teams will visit village panchayats to conduct free health check-ups and provide medicines to elderly people suffering from chronic ailments. The government has earmarked ₹33 crore for the programme.
In another welfare initiative, the government announced the establishment of 'Aran' shelter homes in five districts for transgender persons facing social and family-related difficulties.
The shelters will provide safe accommodation, food, counselling and rehabilitation support, with the government seeking to create a stronger institutional support system for vulnerable members of the transgender community.
Short-stay homes will also be established in 15 districts for transgender people travelling to other cities for education, employment, medical treatment, examinations and training programmes.
The announcements form part of the TVK government's maiden Budget initiatives aimed at combining technology-led industrial development with expanded healthcare and social protection programmes across the State.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the focus on AI and innovation, but I'm concerned about the social welfare side. The mobile geriatric centres and transgender shelters are welcome, but ₹33 crore for healthcare seems small compared to the massive investment in tech infrastructure. Hope the government rebalances priorities in the final budget.
As a farmer from Thanjavur, I want to know how this AI city will help us. We have water crisis and crop failure issues that need immediate attention. Technology is good, but don't forget the agriculture sector. We need irrigation projects and crop insurance, not just fancy innovation hubs.
Love the inclusion of the transgender community! Aran shelter homes and short-stay facilities are long overdue. The government is finally recognizing that institutional support is crucial for vulnerable groups. Also, mobile geriatric units visiting village panchayats is such a thoughtful initiative for our elders. 🙏
₹5 crore for a feasibility study? That's peanuts for a project of this scale. I've seen too many such announcements that never materialize. Let's wait and see if Arivagam actually takes off or becomes another paper project. Need more concrete implementation timelines and private investment commitments.
This is a bold move by TVK! India needs more states to invest in deep-tech. If TN can create the right ecosystem, we'll compete with Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The industrial policy focusing on emerging sectors and exports is the right direction. Need to see the details on implementation and land acquisition.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.