Economic Survey highlights Tamil Nadu’s ‘Thozhi’ hostels for working women and measures aimed at coastal restoration

The Economic Survey 2025-26, tabled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament on Thursday, has highlighted some of the key initiatives being implemented by the Tamil Nadu government, including the ‘Thozhi’ working women’s hostels that provide affordable housing to working women.

According to the survey, these hostels, run by the Tamil Nadu Working Women’s Hostels Corporation through public-private partnerships, are equipped with gender-responsive design, furnished rooms, crèches, kitchens, and shared space. They offer a practical blueprint for States seeking to expand women workforce.

Women workforce

Tamil Nadu is a leading State in India in terms of women labour force. So far, 19 ‘Thozhi’ hostels, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, have been established in 15 districts, benefiting 1,824 women. Fourteen more hostels are being built at a total cost of ₹176.93 crore, and they will accommodate 2,000 women. Two months ago, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation for 12 ‘Thozhi’ hostels costing ₹62.51 crore. These hostels will benefit 740 working women.

Vulnerable districts

The survey notes that Tamil Nadu has a coastline of 1,069 kilometres across 14 districts that are vulnerable to shoreline erosion, storm surges, and sea-level rise. The Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission (TN-SHORE) employs a multi-pronged approach to improve coastal biodiversity and protection, enhance livelihood, and mitigate pollution.

TN-SHORE is a ₹1,675-crore World Bank-funded project to strengthen the State’s coastal resilience and economy. Of the total investment, around ₹1,000 crore will come from the World Bank and the State will contribute the rest.

The survey also highlights Climate Resilient Villages, an initiative taken up in Tamil Nadu and in a few other States. It says such an initiative demonstrates how resilience can be institutionalised at the grassroots by transforming resilience from a project into a function of local governance. In Tamil Nadu, Killai near Pichavaram in Cuddalore  district, known for its vast mangrove forests, was the first Climate Resilient Village.

It says Tamil Nadu is among the few States that have not only enhanced their business environment by integrating sustainability measures but also reduced the time taken for environmental clearance through the Business Reform Action Plan. Besides, Tamil Nadu has enhanced the ease of doing business through single-window clearance, digitised approval, and land reforms, while promoting solar parks, district-level decarbonisation plans, and energy efficiency programmes.

Effluent treatment

The Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board actively monitors industrial effluent treatment systems and supports the establishment of common effluent treatment plants for clusters of small-scale and pollution-intensive industries, such as tanneries and textile units, to ensure that treated wastewater meets prescribed environmental standards before discharge, it notes.

Though the number of international student enrolments in Indian colleges has increased from 7,000 in 2000-01 to 49,000 in 2020, the survey points out that the earlier hubs, including Tamil Nadu, have reported a decline.