Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over Rs 4800 crore in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi today, July 26.
“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,” a release from Prime Minister’s Office stated.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi expressed his privilege in arriving directly on the sacred land of Lord Rameshwar after a four-day foreign tour. He highlighted the historic Free Trade Agreement signed between India and the United Kingdom during the overseas tour.
Noting that this development symbolizes the growing global trust in India and the nation’s renewed confidence, Modi remarked that this confidence will drive the creation of a developed India and a developed Tamil Nadu.
He further stated that a new chapter of development is unfolding in Thoothukudi. “Thoothukudi continues to witness the mission initiated in 2014 to elevate Tamil Nadu to the pinnacle of development”, the Prime Minister said.
He further stated that today, projects worth Rs 4,800 crore have been launched and inaugurated in Thoothukudi. The Prime Minister noted that these initiatives span across key sectors, including airports, highways, ports, railways, and critical power sector advancements.
“Infrastructure and energy form the backbone of any state’s development. Over the past eleven years, the sustained focus on these sectors reflects the priority accorded to Tamil Nadu’s progress”, emphasised the Prime Minister. He remarked that the projects inaugurated today will transform Thoothukudi and Tamil Nadu into hubs of enhanced connectivity, clean energy, and new opportunities.
Affirming the Union Government’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of Tamil Nadu by modernizing its infrastructure, PM Modi Modi stated that significant strides are being made to upgrade port facilities with advanced technologies. In parallel, efforts are underway to integrate airports, highways, and railways, enhancing seamless connectivity across the state.
Thoothukudi Airport New Terminal
The Prime Minister remarked that the inauguration of the new advanced terminal at the Thoothukudi Airport marks another major milestone in this direction.
Constructed at a cost of Rs 450 crore, the terminal is now equipped to host over 20 lakh passengers annually—up from the previous capacity of just 3 lakh passengers, he stated.
Noting that the newly inaugurated terminal will significantly enhance Thoothukudi’s connectivity to multiple destinations across India, PM Modi highlighted that the development will benefit corporate travel, educational hubs, and healthcare infrastructure throughout Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he mentioned that the region’s tourism potential is expected to gain fresh momentum through this improved accessibility.
In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, PM Modi inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Thoothukudi Airport developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, designed to meet the growing aviation demands of the southern region.
Prime Minister also undertook a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Thoothukudi Airport.
Spread across 17,340 square meters, the terminal will be 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% 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.
PM Modi dedicates two major road projects
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.
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.
In the road infrastructure sector, Prime Minister dedicated to the nation two strategically significant highway projects. The first 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 Thoothukudi 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.
PM inaugurates cargo handling facility at V.O. Chidambaranar Port
In a major boost to augment port infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, Prime Minister inaugurated North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at V.O. Chidambaranar Port worth around 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.
PM dedicates railway projects in Tamil Nadu
Prime Minister dedicated three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu 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.
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.
The Prime Minister 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.
PM lays foundation of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for a key transmission project linked to the 2,000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu.
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.
Expressing satisfaction over the rapid progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Tamil Nadu, 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 Prime Minister 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 Tamil Nadu’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.
Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Dr. L Murugan were present among other dignitaries at the event.
