Modi Unveils Rs 49 Billion Projects in Tamil Nadu

29 Jul 2025 CW Team

A major highlight was the inauguration of the new terminal building at Tuticorin Airport, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 billion. Spread across 17,340 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and up to 2 million annually, with future capacity of 2.5 million. Featuring 100 per cent LED lighting, energy-efficient systems, and water reuse technologies, the terminal targets a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating. This facility is expected to boost tourism, trade, and regional investment.

In road infrastructure, Modi inaugurated two significant highway projects. The first involves four-laning the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at over Rs 23.5 billion. This stretch includes three bypasses, a 1-km bridge over the Kollidam River, four major bridges, seven flyovers, and multiple underpasses. It will reduce travel time by 45 minutes and improve access to Delta region hubs.

The second project, a six-lane upgrade of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, was built at around Rs 2 billion. It includes underpasses and bridges to streamline cargo movement and support port-led industrial growth around V.O. Chidambaranar Port.

Port infrastructure saw a further boost with the inauguration of North Cargo Berth-III at the same port. Developed at a cost of Rs 2.85 billion, it has a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 million metric tonnes per annum.

In railways, Modi dedicated three projects to strengthen connectivity in southern Tamil Nadu. These include the electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line, the Rs 6.5 billion doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, and doubling of two more sections—Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87 km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km). These efforts will cut travel times, improve freight capacity, and promote tourism and regional economic integration.

In the energy sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a key transmission project linked to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (2x1000 MW). At a cost of approximately Rs 5.5 billion, this inter-state transmission system will feature a 400 kV double-circuit line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation. The system will strengthen the national grid, enhance clean energy distribution, and meet growing power demands in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented the Prime Minister with a memento—a replica of Chennai’s Valluvar Kottam—during the event. Ministers P Geetha Jeevan, Kanimozhi, and senior officials were also in attendance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated development projects worth over Rs 49 billion during a public event in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. The projects span key sectors, including airports, highways, railways, ports, and power, and aim to enhance infrastructure, connectivity, and clean energy capacity in the southern region.A major highlight was the inauguration of the new terminal building at Tuticorin Airport, constructed at a cost of Rs 4.5 billion. Spread across 17,340 square metres, the terminal is designed to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and up to 2 million annually, with future capacity of 2.5 million. Featuring 100 per cent LED lighting, energy-efficient systems, and water reuse technologies, the terminal targets a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating. This facility is expected to boost tourism, trade, and regional investment.In road infrastructure, Modi inaugurated two significant highway projects. The first involves four-laning the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at over Rs 23.5 billion. This stretch includes three bypasses, a 1-km bridge over the Kollidam River, four major bridges, seven flyovers, and multiple underpasses. It will reduce travel time by 45 minutes and improve access to Delta region hubs.The second project, a six-lane upgrade of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, was built at around Rs 2 billion. It includes underpasses and bridges to streamline cargo movement and support port-led industrial growth around V.O. Chidambaranar Port.Port infrastructure saw a further boost with the inauguration of North Cargo Berth-III at the same port. Developed at a cost of Rs 2.85 billion, it has a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 million metric tonnes per annum.In railways, Modi dedicated three projects to strengthen connectivity in southern Tamil Nadu. These include the electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line, the Rs 6.5 billion doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, and doubling of two more sections—Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87 km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km). These efforts will cut travel times, improve freight capacity, and promote tourism and regional economic integration.In the energy sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a key transmission project linked to Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (2x1000 MW). At a cost of approximately Rs 5.5 billion, this inter-state transmission system will feature a 400 kV double-circuit line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation. The system will strengthen the national grid, enhance clean energy distribution, and meet growing power demands in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states.Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu presented the Prime Minister with a memento—a replica of Chennai’s Valluvar Kottam—during the event. Ministers P Geetha Jeevan, Kanimozhi, and senior officials were also in attendance.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..