Chennai will be global deep-tech cluster, coastal city model for climate resilience by 2040: TNEB Chairman

The foundations have already been laid and institutions have matured for Chennai to become a fully integrated green mobility network, a global deep-tech cluster, a coastal city model for climate resilience, and a healthcare capital by 2040, said TNEB Chairman and Managing Director J. Radhakrishnan.

Speaking at the Super Chennai Conclave in the city on Thursday (February 19, 2026), Dr. Radhakrishnan said: “Though we have institutions and talent, what remains is speed, scale, and a shared purpose. Let us not merely discuss Chennai’s future; let us design it, let us advance it, let us own it. Because this city has resilient, compassionate, industrious, and cultured people, it deserves nothing less than global excellence. Let us build a Chennai that future generations will thank us for, and let the discussion begin with humility.”

Pointing to the history of Chennai, he said: “If you keep looking at the history of Chennai, you will keep seeing that it has so much to offer. And it has not appeared overnight. It has been built, layer by layer, of administration, culture, scholarship, industry, compassion, and above all, the people of Chennai.”

“The question before us today is not whether Chennai can lead, but how quickly we can accelerate. My guess is by 2028-2029, the way it looks would have changed. By that time, most of the CMRL [Chennai Metro Rail Limited] work would have been completed. Since we are the last to have started it among the major cities, we would have incorporated all the improvements. Ultimately what is going to define us is good and reliable infrastructure, assured power, and a high liveability index,” he said.

“Resilience would be our identity. Chennai has faced floods, cyclones, and the pandemic,” he said, adding that he has personally seen how resilient the city has been at the grassroots level.

“When we speak of Chennai, we are not speaking of Chennai alone, but of Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet, and probably, to an extent, up to Villupuram and, on this side, up to Pondicherry. We need to align policy, private initiative, media narrative, and citizen participation. I have seen remarkable solutions offered by Residents’ Welfare Associations. The government sector has the best state-of-the-art facilities,” he said.

Super Chennai is a not-for-profit initiative launched by CREDAI Chennai, aimed at redefining Chennai as a vibrant, future-ready global city. Unveiled by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the FAIRPRO 2025, Super Chennai serves as a citizen-driven movement to showcase the city’s strengths.