Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu on July 26 and 27, during which he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation a wide array of development projects valued at over ₹4800 crore. His visit underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure, regional connectivity, and cultural heritage in southern India.
Upon his return from state visits to the United Kingdom and the Maldives, the Prime Minister will head directly to Tuticorin on the evening of July 26. There, he will inaugurate several key infrastructure projects designed to improve connectivity, logistics, energy efficiency, and overall quality of life in Tamil Nadu.
One of the major highlights of his visit will be the inauguration of the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport, constructed at a cost of around ₹450 crore. Spanning 17,340 square meters, the terminal is designed to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and up to 20 lakh annually, with provisions for future expansion. Equipped with energy-efficient systems and sustainable facilities, it aims to achieve a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating, promoting eco-friendly aviation infrastructure and boosting tourism and commerce in the region. GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) is a system for evaluating green buildings. It facilitates the assessment of a building’s performance based on nationally accepted standards or benchmarks.
To significantly improve travel and trade, the Prime Minister will dedicate two strategically significant projects to the nation.
The rail sector will also see significant upgrades aimed at reducing travel time and boosting freight movement.
PM Modi will dedicate two major highway projects. The first is the 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram section of NH-36, developed at a cost exceeding ₹2,350 crore. This project includes bypasses, bridges, and flyovers and is expected to reduce travel time by 45 minutes between key delta districts. The second project involves the 6-laning of a 5.16 km stretch on NH-138, linking Tuticorin Port and surrounding industrial areas. Built at around ₹200 crore, it is expected to reduce logistics costs and enhance port-led industrial development.
Further strengthening port infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the North Cargo Berth–III at V.O. Chidambaranar Port. With a capacity of 6.96 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), the ₹285 crore facility will meet rising demand for dry bulk cargo and improve cargo handling efficiency.
PM Modi will dedicate to the nation three major rail infrastructure projects. These include the electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur section, the doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, and doubling of shorter but critical links such as Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam. Together, these upgrades will reduce travel time, enhance freight and passenger movement, and strengthen links between Tamil Nadu and neighboring Kerala.
The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4. The ₹550 crore project includes a high-capacity 400 kV double-circuit transmission line, enhancing the national grid and ensuring reliable clean energy supply to Tamil Nadu and other states.
On July 27, PM Modi will travel to Tiruchirappalli to take part in the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple. As part of the celebration, he will release a commemorative coin honoring Emperor Rajendra Chola I, one of India’s most iconic rulers, and mark the 1,000th anniversary of his maritime expedition to Southeast Asia.
The event will also commemorate the beginning of the construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a marvel of Chola architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rajendra Chola I, who ruled from 1014 to 1044 CE, is remembered for his expansive naval expeditions and for establishing a capital that embodied spiritual devotion and administrative excellence.
This year’s Aadi Thiruvathirai holds special significance, as it aligns with Rajendra Chola’s birth star, Thiruvathirai, which began on July 23. The celebration also honors Tamil Shaiva Bhakti traditions and the legacy of the 63 Nayanmars, further highlighting the region’s cultural and religious heritage.