New Delhi, 01 March (H.S.): Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a significant visit to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry on March 1, inaugurating, dedicating, and laying foundation stones for transformative projects worth over ₹7,100 crore aimed at bolstering infrastructure, industry, education, healthcare, and sustainable urban growth.
Puducherry Infrastructure Revolution (₹2,700 Crore)
At 11:45 AM, PM Modi will unveil multiple initiatives strengthening Puducherry's urban fabric. Key launches include e-Buses under PM e-Bus Seva, the Smart City Mission's Integrated Command and Control Centre, EWS tenements via CITIIS, and critical sewerage/water supply upgrades.
Higher education and healthcare gain momentum with the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Composite Engineering Block and Ganga Hostel at NIT Karaikal, JIPMER's modernized Regional Cancer Centre, and Pondicherry University's new annexes, lecture halls, and hostels.The 750-acre Karasur-Sedarapet Industrial Estate—housing Pharma, Textile, and IT Parks alongside IIT Madras R&D and JIPMER facilities—promises massive employment and industrial impetus.
Foundation stones mark rural roads under PMGSY, Heritage Town development, MISHTI mangrove restoration, water/sanitation projects, and RDSS power upgrades.
Puducherry's inclusion under SASCI (previously states-only) enables urban roads, drainage, public buildings, hostels, and sports infrastructure.
Madurai's Connectivity Overhaul (₹4,400 Crore)
PM Modi reaches Madurai by 3 PM for projects enhancing mobility and economic corridors. He lays foundation stones for NH-332A's Marakkanam-Puducherry four-laning (halving travel time to 30 minutes, boosting Mamallapuram/Kalpakkam/Auroville access) and NH-87's Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram stretch (40% faster to Rameswaram/Dhanushkodi, linking airports/ports/SEZs).
Rail upgrades feature 8 Amrit Bharat stations (Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi, Karaikkudi, Thiruvarur) with modern amenities, local aesthetics, and Divyangjan facilities. Chennai Beach-Egmore 4th Line eases suburban congestion for millions of commuters.Three new Akashvani FM transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud, and Vellore expand Tamil Nadu's broadcasting reach.
Spiritual Commencement
The visit culminates at 4 PM with darshan and pooja at Madurai's sacred Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple in Tirupparankundram.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
