Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation, and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over Rs 48 billion during a visit to Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, late Friday. The wide-ranging initiatives aim to improve regional connectivity, modernise logistics, strengthen clean energy infrastructure, and uplift quality of life across the state.

The projects span airports, highways, railways, ports, and the power sector. A major highlight was the launch of the new terminal at Thoothukudi Airport, built at a cost of Rs 4.5 billion, which will now handle over 2 million passengers annually—up from just 300,000.

PM Modi also opened two road projects valued at Rs 25 billion and dedicated newly electrified railway lines, including the Madurai–Bodinayakkanur section, paving the way for advanced trains like Vande Bharat. He laid the foundation stone for a Rs 5.5 billion transmission system linked to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which will support Tamil Nadu’s clean energy supply.

Addressing the crowd, Modi referred to the Free Trade Agreement signed with the UK during his recent foreign visit as evidence of growing global confidence in India. He reiterated that infrastructure and energy are vital to Tamil Nadu’s development and highlighted the state's evolving role in India’s progress.

Paying tribute to Tamil Nadu's cultural icons like Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Subramania Bharati, Modi noted the region’s legacy of national pride and said cultural bonds between Thoothukudi and Kashi are being strengthened through initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam.

He added that 11 new medical colleges and over Rs 3 trillion in devolution funds have been allocated to Tamil Nadu over the past decade. The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has already received nearly 100,000 applications in the state, with over 40,000 rooftop solar installations completed, supporting clean energy and job creation.

Modi also emphasised India’s defence production achievements under Make in India, citing Operation Sindoor as proof of the nation’s growing strength and technological self-reliance.