Infrastructure, energy backbone of progress, committed to Tamil Nadu’s development: PM Modi in Thoothukudi

THOOTHUKUDI (Tamil Nadu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said infrastructure and energy are vital for a state’s progress, and highlighted that the Centre’s focus over the last 11 years reflects its strong commitment to Tamil Nadu’s development.

Speaking at a public event in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi (or Tuticorin), after launching multiple development projects, PM Modi said, “Infrastructure and energy are the backbone of any state’s development. In these 11 years, our focus on energy and infrastructure reflects our dedication and commitment to the development of Tamil Nadu. All the projects today will also make Thoothukudi and Tamil Nadu a hub of connectivity, clean energy, and new opportunities”.

#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “…Today, the inauguration of the new advanced terminal at Thoothukudi Airport is another big step in this direction. This terminal, built at a cost of Rs 450 crore, will now be able to host more than 20 lakh… pic.twitter.com/huIyNMdGnp

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2025

PM Modi arrived in Tamil Nadu on Saturday evening after concluding a two-nation visit to the Maldives and the UK. On the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, he also paid tributes to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1999 Kargil war. “Today is Kargil Vijay Diwas. I first pay my respects to the brave heroes of Kargil and offer my tributes to the martyrs. I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to visit this holy land of Lord Shri Ram after a four-day trip to foreign countries,” PM Modi said.

He also referred to the signing of a historic Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK during his foreign visit. Emphasising India’s growing global stature, PM Modi said the world’s increasing trust in India reflects the country’s rising self-confidence. “This is a symbol of the world’s growing trust in India and India’s new self-confidence. With this self-confidence, we will build a developed India, a developed Tamil Nadu. Today, with the blessings of Lord Rameshwar and Thiruchendur Murugan, a new chapter of development is being written in Thoothukudi”, he said.

#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says “This is a symbol of the world’s growing trust in India and India’s new self-confidence. With this self-confidence, we will build a developed India, a developed Tamil Nadu. Today, with the blessings of Lord… pic.twitter.com/mlzWvTMUyJ

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2025

Congratulating the people of Tamil Nadu, PM Modi said the projects launched mark another major step in the state’s growth journey. “In February last year, I laid the foundation stone for the Outer Harbour Container Terminal at VO Chidambaranar Port and dedicated to the nation several development projects worth hundreds of crores…. Today, I am laying the foundation stone and inaugurating various projects worth Rs 4,800 crore. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the people of Tamil Nadu for these important initiatives,” he said.

He also recalled the legacy of Tamil poet Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar, who had strong connections with both Thoothukudi and Kashi, PM Modi’s parliamentary constituency. “Mahakavi Shri Subramaniya Bharathiyar was also born on this great land. He shared not just a deep connection with Thoothukudi, but also an equally strong bond with my parliamentary constituency, Kashi. Through initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, we are continuously strengthening our shared cultural heritage,” he added.

PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects, including port infrastructure, highway upgrades, airport expansion, rail electrification, and clean energy initiatives, amounting to around Rs 4,900 crore. The Prime Minister inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 450 crore, designed to meet the growing aviation demands of the southern region.

#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates and inspects the new terminal building of Tuticorin Airport.

(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/UnbkmJ1XfR

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2025

The Prime Minister undertook a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Tuticorin 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 to accommodate up to 1,800 peak-hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers annually.

With 100 per cent LED lighting, energy-efficient electrical and mechanical (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.

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.

#WATCH | Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu: Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Today, the foundation was also laid here for the transmission project associated with the 2000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project. This system, being developed at a cost of approximately Rs 550 crore, will… pic.twitter.com/Oy6DJ9PDgi

— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2025

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 VO Chidambaranar Port. In a major boost to augment port infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, the 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.

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.

Further strengthening the state’s power infrastructure Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a major power transmission project – the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for evacuation of electricity from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (2×1000 MW).

This project, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 550 crore, will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation, along with associated terminal equipment. 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. (ANI)