Petroleum refinery unit to come up near Cuddalore Chennai CHIEF Minister M Karunanidhi on Wednesday laid foundation for two major projects - Petroleum Refinery Project near Cuddalore and Thiruchopuram port project - with a total investment of Rs 7,290 crore. The Chief Minister unveiled the plaques marking the foundation for both projects at the Secretariat. The two projects would generate direct employment opportunities for 5,700 persons and indirect employment for 11,300 persons. The refinery project, a joint venture of Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, Tata group and Cuddalore Port Company Private Limited, will be completed in the next 33 months and will be commissioned in 2011. The refinery project is the single largest investment in the sector under implementation in the State, an official release here said. The Chief Minister also laid foundation for Thiruchopuram Port project with a total investment of Rs 1,500 crore. The project would cater to the requirement of the new projects and for import of coal for the proposed power generation projects of TN Electricity Board.