Advanced terminal at Thoothukudi Airport inaugurated
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation development projects worth over Rs.4,800 crore in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, on 26 July, saying these initiatives span across key sectors, including airports, highways, ports, railways, and critical power sector advancements https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
“Infrastructure and energy form the backbone of any state’s development. Over the past eleven years, the sustained focus on these sectors reflects the priority accorded to Tamil Nadu’s progress,” emphasised the Prime Minister.
“India is advancing the vision of a developed Tamil Nadu and a developed India through its ongoing efforts,” underscored the PM, adding, “The world now sees its own growth reflected in India’s progress.”
Affirming the Central Government’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of Tamil Nadu by modernizing its infrastructure, Modi stated that significant strides are being made to upgrade port facilities with advanced technologies. “In parallel, efforts are underway to integrate airports, highways, and railways, enhancing seamless connectivity across the state https://www.conexpoconagg.com/.”
The Prime Minister remarked that the inauguration of the new advanced terminal at the Thoothukudi Airport marks another major milestone in this direction. Constructed at a cost of Rs.450 crore, the terminal is now equipped to host over 20 lakh passengers annually—up from the previous capacity of just 3 lakh passengers, he stated.
Noting that the newly inaugurated terminal will significantly enhance Thoothukudi’s connectivity to multiple destinations across India, Shri Modi highlighted that the development will benefit corporate travel, educational hubs, and healthcare infrastructure throughout Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he mentioned that the region’s tourism potential is expected to gain fresh momentum through this improved accessibility.
The Prime Minister announced the dedication of two major road projects in Tamil Nadu to the public. Developed at an investment of approximately Rs.2,500 crore, these roads are designed to link two key development zones with Chennai.
He stated that the enhanced road infrastructure has significantly improved connectivity between the Delta districts and the state capital, paving the way for greater economic integration and accessibility https://www.globaltenders.com/.
Underscoring that the road projects have significantly boosted connectivity to the Thoothukudi Port, Modi said these developments are expected to enhance ease of living for residents across the region and open up new avenues for trade and employment.
“India is undergoing a transformative campaign to build mega and modern infrastructure across the nation,” underscored the Prime Minister https://ted.europa.eu/en/.
The Prime Minister stated that the newly dedicated railway projects in Tamil Nadu will benefit millions across the southern region of the state. He noted that with the electrification of the Madurai–Bodinayakkanur railway line, the path has now opened for operating advanced trains such as Vande Bharat in the region. “These railway initiatives are poised to accelerate Tamil Nadu’s pace of progress and expand its scale of development with renewed momentum,” stated Modi.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation for a key transmission project linked to the 2,000 MW Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu. Built at an estimated cost of Rs,550 crore, the system is expected to play a pivotal role in supplying clean energy in the years ahead. Shri Modi noted that this energy initiative will contribute meaningfully to India’s global energy targets and environmental commitments. With increased electricity production, both industrial sectors and domestic users in Tamil Nadu stand to gain substantial benefits from improved energy availability https://sbi.com.in/.
Expressing satisfaction over the rapid progress of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana in Tamil Nadu, Modi stated that the Government has already received approximately one lakh applications under the scheme.
He highlighted that over forty thousand solar rooftop installations have been completed so far. The Prime Minister remarked that the scheme not only provides free and clean electricity but is also generating thousands of green jobs https://www.nseindia.com/.
Reiterating that the development of Tamil Nadu and the vision of a developed Tamil Nadu remains a core commitment of the Union Government, the Prime Minister emphasized that policies related to Tamil Nadu’s growth have consistently been accorded top priority https://www.bseindia.com/.
Background
In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, Prime Minister inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Thoothukudi Airport developed at a cost of around Rs.450 crore, designed to meet the growing aviation demands of the southern region. Prime Minister also undertook a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Thoothukudi Airport.
Spread across 17,340 square meters, the terminal will be equipped to handle 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually, with future expansion capacity up to 1,800 peak hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers annually. With 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient E&M systems, and treated water reuse through an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant, the terminal has been built to achieve a GRIHA-4 sustainability rating. This modern infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance regional air connectivity and stimulate tourism, trade, and investment in southern Tamil Nadu.
In the road infrastructure sector, Prime Minister dedicated to the nation two strategically significant highway projects. The first is the 4-laning of the 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch of NH-36, developed at more than Rs.2,350 crore under the Vikravandi–Thanjavur corridor. It includes three bypasses, a 1-km four-lane bridge over the Kollidam River, four major bridges, seven flyovers, and several underpasses, reducing travel time by 45 minutes between Sethiyathope–Cholapuram and boosting connectivity to Delta region’s cultural and agricultural hubs. The second project is the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Thoothukudi Port Road, built at around Rs.200 crore. Featuring underpasses and bridges, it will ease cargo flow, cut logistics costs, and support port-led industrial growth around V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
In a major boost to augment port infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, Prime Minister inaugurated North Cargo Berth–III with a cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at V.O. Chidambaranar Port worth around Rs.285 crore. This will help in meeting the growing demand of handling dry bulk cargo requirements in the region, thereby improving overall port efficiency and optimizing cargo handling logistics.
Prime Minister dedicated three key railway infrastructure projects in southern Tamil Nadu to boost sustainable and efficient connectivity. The electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur line will promote eco-friendly transport and support tourism and commuting in Madurai and Theni. The ₹650 crore doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, part of the Thiruvananthapuram–Kanniyakumari project, will strengthen links between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Additionally, the doubling of the Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km) sections will reduce travel time on major southern routes like Chennai–Kanyakumari and enhance regional economic integration by improving passenger and freight capacity.
Further strengthening the state’s power infrastructure and ensuring, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a major power transmission project – the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for evacuation of electricity from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Units 3 and 4 (2×1000 MW). This project, developed at a cost of around Rs.550 crore, will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam to the Thoothukudi-II GIS substation and associated terminal equipment. It will play a pivotal role in strengthening the national grid, ensuring reliable clean energy distribution, and meeting the rising power demands of Tamil Nadu and other beneficiary states. Fiinews.com
