PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore at a public event in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi, on Saturday, July 26. Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in the celebration of the birth anniversary of the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I with the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Tamil Nadu. PM in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin After completing his state visit in Maldives, the Prime Minister directly reached Tuticorin and inaugurated and dedicated to the nation a series of landmark projects across multiple sectors, which will significantly enhance regional connectivity, boost logistics efficiency, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for citizens across Tamil Nadu. On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Modi also paid tributes to the brave soldiers of Kargil and saluted the valiant warriors and offered heartfelt homage to the martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.Tuticorin Airport New Terminal Building In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, PM Modi inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, designed to meet the growing aviation demands of the southern region. Modi also undertook a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Tuticorin Airport. Spread across 17,340 square meters, the terminal is equipped to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually, with future expansion capacity up to 1,800 peak hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers annually. With 100 per cent LED lighting, energy-efficient E&M systems, and treated water reuse through an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant, the terminal has been built to achieve a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating. “This modern infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity and stimulate tourism, trade, and investment in southern Tamil Nadu,” a statement released from the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday stated.PM dedicates multiple rail and road projects worth over Rs 3600 crore The Prime Minister announced the dedication of two major road projects in Tamil Nadu to the public. Developed at an investment of approximately Rs 2,500 crore, these roads are designed to link two key development zones with Chennai. He stated that the enhanced road infrastructure has significantly improved connectivity between the Delta districts and the state capital, paving the way for greater economic integration and accessibility.The first project is the 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at more than Rs 2,350 crore under the Vikravandi–Thanjavur corridor. It includes three bypasses, a 1-km four-lane bridge over the Kollidam River, four major bridges, seven flyovers, and several underpasses, reducing travel time by 45 minutes between Sethiyathope–Cholapuram and boosting connectivity to Delta region’s cultural and agricultural hubs. The second project is the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 crore. Featuring underpasses and bridges, it will ease cargo flow, cut logistics costs, and support port-led industrial growth around V.O. Chidambaranar Port.Additionally, the doubling of the Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km) sections will reduce travel time on major southern routes like Chennai–Kanyakumari and enhance regional economic integration by improving passenger and freight capacity.Underscoring that the road projects have significantly boosted connectivity to the Thoothukudi Port, Modi said these developments are expected to enhance ease of living for residents across the region and open up new avenues for trade and employment.PM stated that the newly dedicated railway projects in Tamil Nadu will benefit millions across the southern region of the state. He noted that with the electrification of the Madurai–Bodinayakkanur railway line, the path has now opened for operating advanced trains such as Vande Bharat in the region. “These railway initiatives are poised to accelerate Tamil Nadu’s pace of progress and expand its scale of development with renewed momentum”, stated Modi. The Prime Minister also dedicated three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu, set to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity. The electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line will promote eco-friendly transport and support tourism and commuting in Madurai and Theni. The Rs 650 crore doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, part of the Thiruvananthapuram–Kanniyakumari project, will strengthen links between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.“These railway initiatives are poised to accelerate Tamil Nadu’s pace of progress and expand its scale of development with renewed momentum”, stated Modi addressing the gathering.PM inaugurates cargo handling facility at V.O. Chidambaranar PortIn a major boost to augment port infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, PM Modi inaugurated North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at V.O. Chidambaranar Port wortharound Rs 285 crore.“This will help in meeting the growing demand of handling dry bulk cargo requirements in the region, thereby improving overall port efficiency and optimizing cargo handling logistics,” the PMO had said.PM lays foundation stone for the Inter-State Transmission System for Kudankulam Nuclear Power PlantThe Prime Minister also laid the foundation for a key transmission project linked to the 2,000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu further strengthening the state's power infrastucture. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 550 crore, the system is expected to play a pivotal role in supplying clean energy in the years ahead.Modi noted that this energy initiative will contribute meaningfully to India's global energy targets and environmental commitments. With increased electricity production, both industrial sectors and domestic users in Tamil Nadu stand to gain substantial benefits from improved energy availability. “This project, developed at a cost of around Rs 550 crore,will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation and associated terminal equipment,” the PMO had said. “It will play a pivotal role in strengthening the national grid, ensuring reliable clean energy distribution, and meeting the rising power demands of Tamil Nadu and other beneficiary states,” the CM had added added.Expressing satisfaction over the rapid progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in the state, Modi stated that the government has already received approximately one lakh applications under the scheme. He highlighted that over forty thousand solar rooftop installations have been completed so far. The PM remarked that the scheme not only provides free and clean electricity but is also generating thousands of green jobs.Reiterating that the development of Tamil Nadu and the vision of a developed Tamil Nadu remains a core commitment of the Union Government, the Prime Minister emphasized that policies related to state's growth have consistently been accorded top priority.He highlighted that over the past decade, the Union Government has transferred Rs 3 lakh crore to Tamil Nadu through devolution—more than three times the amount disbursed by the previous dispensation. Modi further stated that in these eleven years, Tamil Nadu has received eleven new medical colleges. He remarked that for the first time, a government has shown such dedicated concern for communities involved in the fisheries sector across coastal regions.He affirmed that through the Blue Revolution, the government is expanding the coastal economy, ensuring inclusive development. “Thoothukudi is witnessing the dawn of a new chapter in development”, said Modi, highlighting that the initiatives in connectivity, power transmission, and infrastructure are laying a strong foundation for a developed Tamil Nadu and a developed India.
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu today: Development projects worth over Rs 4,900 crore inaugurated in Tuticorin
