Pondicherry is endowed with excellent infrastructural facilities, on per with the best available in the country.

ROADS:

Pondicherry is situated about 170 km south of Chennai on the East Coast Road and National Highway NH-45A connecting to Chennai and other major cities. A network of all weather metalled roads connecting every village exists in the territory. Pondicherry has a road length of 2398 km (road length per 4.87 sq km), the highest in the country.

RAIL HEADS:

The Union Territory had rail heads at Pondicherry and Mahe. The Pondicherry-Villupuram rail line is being converted into broad gauge. The linking of Chennai with Cuddalore via Pondicherry is in the offing. Efforts are no to link Yanam with Kakinada and Karaikal with Nagapattinam.

WATER RESOURCES:

The policy of the Government is to promote less water intensive industries. Being a coastal area borewells are not allowed within six kms. from high tide line. Hence, desalination and recycling techniques of waste water would be encouraged.

SEA PORT:

Pondicherry is close to several ports like Chennai, Nagapattinam, Tuticorin, Kakinada, Vishakapatnam and Cochin. Pondicherry port will be modernised with container handling facilities and storing infrastructure.

COMMUNICATIONS:

Pondicherry is a part of the Global Information Highway. Good telecom infrastructure including cellular, pager, ISDN, and Internet services are available. Pondicherry has 64 lines per 1000 persons which is highest tele density in the county.

BANKING:

There are 105 branches of various Nationalised and Commercial banks functioning in Pondicherry with a deposit mobilisation of Rs.2018.83 millions. Apart from this, PIPDIC, a state Finance Corporation renders yeoman service for promotion of small and medium scale enterprises. Branches of National financial institutions like SIDBI/NABARD/ NSICalso exist.

SKILLED MANPOWER: Pondicherry has reputed technical institutions such as the Pondicherry Central University, five Engineering Colleges, four Medical Colleges, Dental, Veterinary, Agriculture and Community Colleges, four Polytechnics and five Industrial Training Institutions. Pondicherry has a high concentration of highly resourceful, committed and productive Science and Technology Graduates, Apart from English, a considerable number speak French.

RESPONSIVE ADMINISTRATION: Proactive investment policies, hassle-free environment and an industry-friendly Government have made Pondicherry a heaven for business. The process of clearances and approvals has been rationalised with emphasis on time-bound decisions by Government departments and authorities. The responsive administration solves problems, if any, in the quickest possible time and ensures that the investors realise their dreams.

COSMOPOLITAN CULTURE: A large number of French, Belgians and Germans have made Pondicherry their second home and have thus promoted its congenial cosmopolitan atmosphere. Pondicherry also provides a good standard of living, quality-housing facilities, standard educational institutions including French schools, adequate health care and recreational facilities. All communities live in peace and harmony. There are a large number of restaurants specialising in French, Italian and American Cusines.

GOOD INDUSTRIAL RELATION: Pondicherry is known for peace and stability which is a pre-requisite for smooth and fast industrial growth. Labour relations in the Union Territory is excellent with a good track record of industrial harmony allowing you to concentrate on your business. A co-operative, educated, skilled and understanding labour is an asset. Good industrial relations ensure industrial peace. The Labour Department provides concilliatory and mediatory mechanism for resolution of industrial disputes between Management and labour.

NEW INITIATIVES: The Government has taken initiatives to set up new Industrial areas, like the Growth Centre, Information Technology Park, Integrated Infrastructural Development Centre, Export Processing  Zone, Special Economic Zone, etc.

INDUSTRIAL ESTATES:

Six Industrial Estates are presently in existence and additional industrial estates are being planned. An Electronic Park at Thirubuvanai, Pondicherry is ready for allotment. A Growth Centre-cum-industrial Estate at Polagam in Karaikal is being finalised by Government of Pondicherry and 74 Plots in Phase IA will be ready for allotment by Dec 2002. Growth Centres in Pondicherry and Yanam regions are also being planned by Government of Pondicherry. 


POWER:

As part of the southern-grid, adequate power has been allocated to Union Territory of Pondicherry. Steady supply of power is presently available at rates cheaper than neighbouring states. A gas based power plant is being established at Karaikal.

POWER TARIFF

GOVERNMENT OF PONDICHERRY
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT (POWER) DEPARTMENT

Extract of the Notification

A. LOW TENSION SUPPLY:

Power Load:
Applicable to Low Tension industrial consumers. (Industrial and non-industrial including factory lighting). The Tariff will also be applicable to fish ponds, production of mushrooms, prawn culture, aquaculture, etc.

Service Charges	Rs.20.00 per Service/month
i) Energy charges for consumption up to 1000 units/month	Rs.2.30/unit
ii) In excess of 1000 units/month Minimum charges	Rs.2.50/unit Rs.12 per month/HP

B. HIGH TENSION SUPPLY:

Tariff High Tension-I:-
Applicable to Industrial and commercial establishments, registered factories, textiles, caustic soda, calcium carbide, pottassium chlorate, aluminium, cements, fertilizers, steels Ferro silicon, glass, laboratories, cinema theatres, cinema production, hotels, telephone exchange, doordharsan and other establishments under the heading "high Tension Supply".

i) Demand Charges :	Entire demand Rs.135/KVA/ month plus energy charges
ii) Consumption upto 1 lac In excess of 1 lac units/month	Rs.2.60 per unit units/month Rs.2.75 per unit
iii) Service charges	Rs.25 per month/service

The above tariff is subject to a minimum payment of three fourth times the contracted load in KVA multiplied by Rs.1,020 per annum.