Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi visited Tamil Nadu(TN) from July 26 to July 27, 2025, with a focus on infrastructure development, cultural heritage, and regional connectivity. During his visit, he laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated several development projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore in Thoothukudi, TN.
- He participated in the birth anniversary celebrations of the great Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I at the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple in Gangaikondaa Chōlapuram, situated near Jayankondam in Ariyalur district, TN.
Key Dignitaries:
R.N Ravi, Governor of TN; Union Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA); and Union Minister of State (MoS) L. Murugan, MoCA, were present at the event.
Key Projects Launched/ Inaugurated:
New Terminal Building at Thoothukudi/Tuticorin Airport:
Inauguration : PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the new terminal building at Tuticorin Airport in TN, constructed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore.
Enhanced Passenger Capacity: The new terminal, spans across 17,340 square meters(sq m) of area, is equipped to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually (up from 3 lakh passengers).
- Its capacity is further projected to increase up to 1,800 peak hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers annually.
Features: The new terminal is designed in Chettinad-style architecture, with 100% Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, Energy-Efficient Electrical and Mechanical (E&M) systems, and treated water reuse through on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP).
- It has been constructed to achieve a Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA)-4 sustainable rating.
Laid Foundation Stone for ISTS for Kundankulum Nuclear Power Plant:
Power Transmission Project: PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a key transmission project i.e. an Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) linked to the Kundankulum Nuclear Power Plant located in Kundankulam in Tirunelveli district of TN, developed at a cost of nearly 550 crore.
Purpose: To evacuate the 2,000 Mega Watt (MW) power to be generated by Water-Water Power Reactor(VVER) 3 and 4 of the power plant, being constructed with assistance of Russia.
Features: The project will include a 400 kiloVolt (kV) (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kundankulam to the Thoothukudi-II Geographic Information System (GIS) substation and associated terminal equipment.
Projects Launched in other Key Sectors:
Ports:
- Launch of New Cargo Facility: He inaugurated the North Cargo Berth-III at V.O. Chidambarnar Port in TN.
- Investment: It is developed at a cost of approximately Rs 285 crore.
- Cargo Capacity: It has a maximum cargo handling capacity of 6.96 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA).
Road Infrastructure Sector:
PM Narendra Modi dedicated two major highway projects in Tamil Nadu(TN) to the nation,
- 4-Laning of NH-36: The 1st project includes the 4-laning of the 50 kilometer (km) Sethiyathope-Cholapuram stretch of National Highway (NH-36).
- Development Cost: It is developed at cost of over Rs 2,350 crore under the Vikravandi-Thanjavur corridor.
- Features: The project includes 3 bypasses, a 1-km four-lane bridge over the Kollidom river, 4 major bridges, 7 flyovers, and several underpasses.
- 6-Laning of NH-138:The 2nd project is the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Thoothukudi Port Road.
- Development Cost: It is developed at a cost of nearly Rs 200 crore.
- Key Benefits: This project is expected to ease cargo flow, cut logistics costs, and support port-led industy around V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
Railways Sector:
During his visit to TN, PM Narendra Modi also dedicated 3 major railway infrastructure projects in southern TN to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity.
- Electrification of 90 km-long Madurai-Bodinayakkanur line: It is expected to promote eco-friendly transport and support tourism and commuting in Madurai and Theni.
- Doubling of 21 km Nagercoil Town-Kanniyakumari section: It is developed at a cost of 650 crore as part of the Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari project, will bolster links between TN and Kerala.
- Doubling of the Aralvaymozhi-Nagercoil Junction (12.87 km) and Tirunelveli-Melappalayam (3.6 km) sections: This project is expected to reduce travel time on major southern routes like: Chennai-Kanyakumari and enhance economic integration by improving passenger and freight capacity.
PM Narendra Modi Addressed the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival:
Festival: PM Narendra Modi participated in the valedictory function of the Aadi
Thiruvathirai Festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture MoC at Gangaikonda
Cholapuram temple in Ariyalur district of TN.
Significance: The festival was organised to celebrate the birth anniversary of Rajendra Chola-I and also to commemorate the 1000th years of his Maritime Expedition in South East Asia.
- Also, the commencement of the construction of the iconic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site(WHS).
Release of Commemorative Coin: During the festival, PM Narendra Modi released Rs 1,000 coin to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the naval expedition of Emperor Rajendra Chola-I.
- The coin was designed by R. Komagan, Chairman of the Gangaikonda cholapuram Development Council Trust. It is the fourth Rs.1,000‑denomination coin in the history of the Republic of India.
- The commemorative coin is circular in shape, with a diameter of 44 millimeter(mm) and a weight of 40 grams (± 0.005 g). It is made of 99.9% pure silver (999 fineness) and features 200 serrations.
- The obverse side features the Lion Capital of Ashoka with the motto “Satyameva Jayate,” flanked by “Bharat” in Devanagari and “INDIA,” along with the Rs. symbol and denomination “1000.”
- The reverse side displays an engraving of Emperor Rajendra Chola I’s naval expedition, surrounded by the inscription “1000 YEARS OF NAVAL EXPEDITION OF EMPEROR RAJENDRA CHOLA – I” in both English and Devanagari.
About Tamil Nadu (TN):
Chief Minister (CM)- Muthuvel Karunanidhi (M.K.) Stalin
Governor- R.N.Ravi
Capital- Chennai
National Parks (NPs)– Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP
