Nehru Inaugurates India's First Planned Industrial Hub to Spur Development

It was one of the first industrial estates established in India, along with Okhla Industrial Estate in Delhi, as part of the government's focus on industrialization in the 2nd Five Year Plan.

It was inaugurated in phases, starting in 1958 by Prime Minister Nehru, on about 404 acres with the goal of providing infrastructure and facilities for small industries.

Early companies located there included Standard Pencil Factory, Eveready, and Bi-metalic & Bushings; it later attracted prominent IT companies like HP and Samsung.

It was chosen for its transport links but some companies have since moved out due to restrictions on lorry movements.

It paved the way for other estates in Chennai and aimed to support economic growth through small industries, which Nehru emphasized were important for development.