- Prime Minister dedicates 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
- He also dedicates two strategically significant highway projects, 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, and the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 crore.
- India-UK FTA will significantly benefit Tamil Nadu’s youth, small industries, MSMEs, and start-ups: PM
NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, JULY 26
Promising to build ‘Viksit Tamil Nadu’ by outlining his vision, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth Rs 4,800 crore in Thoothukudi on Saturday.
“It is my good fortune that after a four-day foreign tour, I got the opportunity to come directly to this sacred land of Bhagwan Rameswaram,” PM Modi said in a public speech. “It is a symbol of the growing trust of the world and the new self-confidence of India. With this very self-confidence, we will build a Viksit Bharat and a Viksit Tamil Nadu.”
In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, 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.
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.
The landmark projects inaugurated by PM Modi include railway infrastructure projects, highway projects and a major power transmission project. They are expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, boost logistics efficiency, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for citizens across Tamil Nadu, according to an official release.
“In September, I inaugurated the new Thoothukudi International Container Terminal. And today, once again, projects worth Rs 4,800 crore have been inaugurated and foundation stones laid here. These include projects related to airports, highways, ports, and railways, as well as important initiatives linked to the power sector,” he said.
The Prime Minister said his government’s focus on infrastructure and energy is a key priority in the development of Tamil Nadu, and said Thoothukudi has itself become a model of development.
PM Modi also highlighted the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between India and the UK, saying it accelerates the vision of Viksit Bharat and will add renewed strength to the Indian economy.
“After this FTA agreement, 99% of Indian products sold in Britain will be tax-free. When Indian goods become cheaper in Britain, their demand will increase there. And here in India, more opportunities will be created for the manufacturing of those good,” he added.
He asserted that the world sees its own growth in India’s growth, and the India-UK FTA will significantly benefit Tamil Nadu’s youth, small industries, MSMEs, and start-ups.
PM Modi hailed the Rs 450 crore New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport as a “big step” in the state’s development, saying it will now be able to host more than 20 lakh passengers annually, as compared to 3 lakh earlier.
He also dedicated two strategically significant highway projects, 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, and the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, built at around Rs 200 crore.
He also inaugurated three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity. “Our government considers the railways as the lifeline of industrial growth and a Atmanirbhar Bharat. That is why, in the past 11 years, the railway infrastructure in the country has witnessed a new era of modernisation,” he said.
“Even today, the railway projects we have dedicated in Tamil Nadu will benefit millions of people in South Tamil Nadu. With the electrification of the Madurai to Bodinayakkanur line, the path is now open for running trains like Vande Bharat in this region.”
PM Modi also inaugurated the North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at VO 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 optimising cargo handling logistics, as per the release.
