Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi after concluding his state visit to the Maldives and the UK. At a major public event, he inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over ₹4,800 crore across multiple sectors. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin was notably absent from the event, citing health reasons.
Among the key highlights was the inauguration of a new terminal building at Thoothukudi Airport, constructed at a cost of ₹450 crore. Spread over 17,340 square meters, the terminal can handle 1,350 peak-hour passengers and up to 2 million passengers annually. The facility has earned GRIHA-4 sustainability rating due to features like 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient systems, and a sewage treatment plant for water recycling. The project is expected to boost tourism, business, and investment in the region.
Two significant national highway projects were also dedicated to the nation. The first, a 50-km four-lane road on NH-36 between Sethiyathope and Cholapuram, has been built under the Vikravandi–Thanjavur corridor at a cost of ₹2,350 crore. It includes three bypasses, a 1-km four-lane bridge on the Kollidam river, four major bridges, seven flyovers, and multiple underpasses. This is expected to reduce travel time by up to 45 minutes.
The second project involves widening a 5.16 km stretch of NH-138 near Thoothukudi Port into six lanes, costing around ₹200 crore and featuring underpasses and bridges to enhance port connectivity.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister will attend the birth anniversary celebration of the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I and the Aadi Thiruvizha festival at Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Tiruchirappalli.
