Lok Sabha Question No. 6137 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Rare Earth Corridors
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK    SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-6137

## ANSWERED ON 01/04/2026

## RARE EARTH CORRIDORS

## 6137. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government, in the General Budget 2026 has announced the establishment of Dedicated  Rare  Earth  Corridors  to  strengthen  exploration,  mining,  processing  and  value addition of rare earth elements in the country;

(b) if so, the details of the proposed corridors, including identified mineral-bearing regions, industrial clusters, estimated financial outlay and implementation timeline thereof;

(c) whether the corridors aim to reduce import dependence and enhance domestic capability in strategic  sectors  such  as  electronics,  renewable  energy,  electric  vehicles,  and  defence manufacturing and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any of the proposed corridors are planned in the State of Tamil Nadu, particularly in  coastal  or  mineral-rich  districts  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof,  along  with  the  expected economic benefits therefrom;

(e)  whether  environmental  safeguards,  community  consultations,  and  regulatory  clearances have been factored into the implementation framework and if so, the details thereof; and

(f)  the  steps  taken  to  attract  private  investment,  technology  partnerships  and  downstream manufacturing under this initiative?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)&(b) Yes,  Union  Budget  2026-27  has  announced  the  establishment  of  dedicated  Rare  Earth Corridors in the states of Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. These corridors will focus on mining, processing, research, and manufacturing thus aligning these initiatives with the national priorities of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Net Zero 2070, and Viksit Bharat @ 2047, while positioning India as a key player in global advanced materials value chains.
- (c) Yes, the dedicated Rare Earth Corridors proposed in Odisha, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil  Nadu  states  aim  to  reduce  import  dependence  and  enhance  domestic  capability  in strategic  sectors.  The  RE  corridor  aims  to  establish  an  integrated  domestic  ecosystem  for mining, refining, and manufacturing. India's import reliance on key minerals used for the production  of  items  in  strategic  sectors  such  as  electronics,  renewable  energy,  electric vehicles, and defence manufacturing can be regulated through the RE corridor by boosting local sourcing enhancing strategic self-reliance.
- (d) Yes,  The  Government  has  proposed  Rare  Earth  Corridor  in  Tamil  Nadu  state  along  with Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- (e )&(f) A Joint Working Group (JWG) consisting of members representing all stakeholders is being constituted for formulation of guidelines (SOP) to establish dedicated Rare Earth corridors in the identified states and the JWG is expected to examine all aspects before finalising the SOP.

*****