The single biggest block of government-built IT space in Chennai is the ELCOT IT Special Economic Zone at Sholinganallur on Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR). It covers 377 acres and employed about 74,115 people, according to the IT Department’s 2025-26 policy note, which also reported a new 2.33 lakh sq ft IT tower under construction there.
Sholinganallur is one anchor of the corridor that runs from Taramani down OMR to Siruseri. The other public anchors are the TIDEL Parks at Taramani and Pattabiram. Here is what each is, who manages it, and what has been announced in 2026.
The government-built parks
| Park | Where | Key figures |
|---|---|---|
| TIDEL Park, Taramani | Rajiv Gandhi Salai start, near Taramani MRTS | 12.8 lakh sq ft, 15 storeys |
| ELCOT SEZ, Sholinganallur | OMR | 377.08 acres; 218.7 acres leased |
| SIPCOT IT Park, Siruseri | OMR, Chengalpattu district | Software, hardware and IT-enabled services |
| TIDEL Park, Pattabiram | Near Avadi, west Chennai | 21 storeys, 5.57 lakh sq ft, opened November 2024 |
TIDEL Park Taramani’s size comes from TIDEL’s own site, which also lists parks at Coimbatore and Pattabiram and a chain of smaller “TIDEL Neo” parks in district towns. ELCOT holds a 5.91% share in TIDEL Park Limited. Pattabiram was opened on 22 November 2024 and was expected to provide work for about 6,000 professionals, ETV Bharat reported. It is the government’s attempt to pull IT jobs to the city’s western side, close to Pattabiram and Avadi suburban stations.
ELCOT runs eight SEZ IT parks across the state, covering 1,288 acres and 1.13 lakh direct jobs. Exports from these ELCOSEZs rose from ₹27,390 crore in 2023-24 to ₹33,268 crore in 2024-25, the policy note says. Sholinganallur is by far the largest of them.
What is new in 2026
A new department name and an AI push. The IT portfolio is now held by Dr. Kumar R. as Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services. Tabling the 2026-27 policy note in the Assembly, he said the state’s IT exports exceed ₹2.5 lakh crore a year and that the sector supports more than 20 lakh people directly and indirectly, Deccan Chronicle reported on 26 August 2026. ELCOT has been proposed to set up a Tamil Nadu AI Centre of Excellence, with TNeGA, TIDCO and IIT Madras involved.
An AI city in the budget. The 2026-27 budget, presented on 5 August 2026, set out plans for an AI and innovation city called “Arivagam” and an AI skilling programme aimed at five lakh young people by 2031, according to PRS Legislative Research. PRS lists no budget figure or site for Arivagam; treat it as a plan until a location is notified.
Data centres on the corridor. STT GDC’s Siruseri campus, planned as a 45 MW facility, had its first 7.2 MW phase opened on 12 February 2026, The Machine Maker reported. At the state’s investment conclave on 13 August 2026, Super Micro committed ₹477 crore for a server manufacturing and integration facility in Chennai, DT Next reported, and Airtel’s data-centre arm Nxtra signed for ₹1,417 crore of expansion including Chennai capacity.
Growth outside Chennai. The state continues to add TIDEL Neo parks in towns such as Vellore, Rasipuram and Tiruvannamalai. That matters for Chennai job seekers from those districts, who may find openings closer to home.
Getting space or a job in these parks
- Companies: TIDEL takes enquiries through its website and on +91 44 2254 0500. ELCOT allots SEZ land and built space through its own process, and SEZ units follow central SEZ rules on exports.
- Job seekers: the parks do not recruit; the tenant companies do. Check company career pages and the state employment portals.
- Commuters: Taramani and Pattabiram have suburban rail access. OMR parks are served by MTC buses, and the Phase 2 metro line along OMR is under construction.
What to watch
Three things will shape the corridor over the next year: where Arivagam is sited, whether the second Sholinganallur tower is completed, and how many of the August data-centre and electronics commitments turn into construction. MoUs are statements of intent, and amounts announced at conclaves are commitments, not money spent.
Quick answers
Is Siruseri part of ELCOT?
No. The Siruseri IT Park is developed by SIPCOT, the state industrial corporation. ELCOT’s Chennai SEZ is at Sholinganallur.
Who owns TIDEL Park?
TIDEL Park Limited is a state-promoted company; ELCOT is one of its shareholders.
How many people work in the ELCOT SEZ at Sholinganallur?
About 74,115, according to the 2025-26 policy note. Newer official figures were not available when this was checked.
What is Arivagam?
A proposed AI and innovation city announced in the 2026-27 state budget. No site or cost had been published.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Policy Note 2025-26, Information Technology and Digital Services Department (Government of Tamil Nadu)
- TIDEL Park: locations and spaces (TIDEL Park Ltd)
- Tamil Nadu Budget Analysis 2026-27 (PRS Legislative Research)
- TN pushes AI, digital governance and high-speed connectivity (Deccan Chronicle, 26 August 2026)
- Stalin inaugurates 21-storey TIDEL Park in Pattabiram (ETV Bharat, 22 November 2024)
- Tamil Nadu attracts over Rs 1 lakh crore investments in first 100 days (DT Next, 13 August 2026)
- STT GDC India expands Chennai footprint with Siruseri campus (The Machine Maker, 24 February 2026)
