The tweet highlighted that tamil Nadu leads with 51 SEZs, while bihar has none, sparking interest and concern about regional disparities in industrial development. This article explores the significance of this data, the reasons behind Bihar's lack of SEZs, the potential drawbacks for bihar, and the benefits tamil Nadu enjoys due to its high number of SEZs.
The post lists the number of operational SEZs by state as of june 2025:
Tamil Nadu: 51
Telangana: 38
Maharashtra: 38
Karnataka: 37
Andhra Pradesh: 25
Gujarat: 21
Kerala: 20
Uttar Pradesh: 14
Haryana: 8
West Bengal: 7
Madhya Pradesh: 6
Odisha: 5
Punjab: 3
Rajasthan: 3
Chandigarh: 2
Chhattisgarh: 1
Bihar: 0
The absence of even a single SEZ in bihar stands out, especially when compared to the robust presence in southern states like tamil Nadu, prompting questions about regional development strategies and their outcomes.
Why bihar Lacks SEZs
Historical Underdevelopment: bihar has long struggled with economic stagnation, exacerbated by decades of political instability under leaders like Lalu prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, as noted by @AviatorG74482 in the thread. This has deterred industrial investment and infrastructure development necessary for SEZs.
Poor Infrastructure: SEZs require robust connectivity, power supply, and logistics, which bihar lacks compared to states like tamil Nadu. The state's inadequate road and rail networks, as well as frequent power outages, make it less attractive for SEZ development.
Land Acquisition Challenges: Setting up an SEZ involves acquiring large land parcels, which is contentious in bihar due to fragmented land ownership, rural resistance, and legal hurdles, further complicated by caste-based politics as mentioned by @AviatorG74482.
Policy and Governance Issues: Despite 20 years of nda rule and 10 years under PM Modi, as pointed by @Surendr10860889, Bihar's state government has not prioritized SEZ proposals. Corruption and inefficiencies may also deter private investors, a sentiment echoed by @UnknownMan2047’s criticism of the bjp in Bihar.
Lack of Industrial Base: Unlike tamil Nadu, which has a strong manufacturing and IT heritage, bihar lacks a diversified industrial ecosystem, making it less appealing for SEZ-focused investments.
Benefits tamil Nadu Might Possess Due to 51 SEZs
Economic Growth: With 51 SEZs, tamil Nadu is a powerhouse for industries like IT, automotive, and textiles. Cities like chennai and coimbatore host SEZs that attract global giants, boosting GDP and per capita income.
Job Creation: The SEZs have generated hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and empowering a skilled workforce, as evidenced by the state’s leadership in employment metrics.
Export Surge: SEZs offer tax incentives and streamlined customs, enabling tamil Nadu to lead in exports. The state’s SEZs contribute significantly to India’s $400 billion+ export economy, as per SEZ india data.
Infrastructure Development: The presence of SEZs has spurred investments in ports (e.g., chennai Port), roads, and power, enhancing tamil Nadu’s logistical edge, a factor praised by @BjpSuganth in the thread.
Global Recognition: tamil Nadu’s SEZ success attracts FDI and elevates its global standing, reinforcing its role as a model for industrial policy, as seen in its competition with karnataka and Telangana.
The post lists the number of operational SEZs by state as of june 2025:
Tamil Nadu: 51
Telangana: 38
Maharashtra: 38
Karnataka: 37
Andhra Pradesh: 25
Gujarat: 21
Kerala: 20
Uttar Pradesh: 14
Haryana: 8
West Bengal: 7
Madhya Pradesh: 6
Odisha: 5
Punjab: 3
Rajasthan: 3
Chandigarh: 2
Chhattisgarh: 1
Bihar: 0
The absence of even a single SEZ in bihar stands out, especially when compared to the robust presence in southern states like tamil Nadu, prompting questions about regional development strategies and their outcomes.
Why bihar Lacks SEZs
Historical Underdevelopment: bihar has long struggled with economic stagnation, exacerbated by decades of political instability under leaders like Lalu prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, as noted by @AviatorG74482 in the thread. This has deterred industrial investment and infrastructure development necessary for SEZs.
Poor Infrastructure: SEZs require robust connectivity, power supply, and logistics, which bihar lacks compared to states like tamil Nadu. The state's inadequate road and rail networks, as well as frequent power outages, make it less attractive for SEZ development.
Land Acquisition Challenges: Setting up an SEZ involves acquiring large land parcels, which is contentious in bihar due to fragmented land ownership, rural resistance, and legal hurdles, further complicated by caste-based politics as mentioned by @AviatorG74482.
Policy and Governance Issues: Despite 20 years of nda rule and 10 years under PM Modi, as pointed by @Surendr10860889, Bihar's state government has not prioritized SEZ proposals. Corruption and inefficiencies may also deter private investors, a sentiment echoed by @UnknownMan2047’s criticism of the bjp in Bihar.
Lack of Industrial Base: Unlike tamil Nadu, which has a strong manufacturing and IT heritage, bihar lacks a diversified industrial ecosystem, making it less appealing for SEZ-focused investments.
Benefits tamil Nadu Might Possess Due to 51 SEZs
Economic Growth: With 51 SEZs, tamil Nadu is a powerhouse for industries like IT, automotive, and textiles. Cities like chennai and coimbatore host SEZs that attract global giants, boosting GDP and per capita income.
Job Creation: The SEZs have generated hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and empowering a skilled workforce, as evidenced by the state’s leadership in employment metrics.
Export Surge: SEZs offer tax incentives and streamlined customs, enabling tamil Nadu to lead in exports. The state’s SEZs contribute significantly to India’s $400 billion+ export economy, as per SEZ india data.
Infrastructure Development: The presence of SEZs has spurred investments in ports (e.g., chennai Port), roads, and power, enhancing tamil Nadu’s logistical edge, a factor praised by @BjpSuganth in the thread.
Global Recognition: tamil Nadu’s SEZ success attracts FDI and elevates its global standing, reinforcing its role as a model for industrial policy, as seen in its competition with karnataka and Telangana.
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel