Key Points

In line with his commitment to developing world-class air infrastructure and enhancing connectivity, the Prime Minister inaugurated the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 450 crore, designed to meet the growing aviation demands of the southern region.

The Prime Minister undertook a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Tuticorin 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 to accommodate up to 1,800 peak-hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers annually. With 100 per cent LED lighting, energy-efficient electrical and mechanical (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 Tuticorin 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 VO Chidambaranar Port.

In a major boost to augment port infrastructure and clean energy initiatives, the 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.

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 Rs 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 Prime Minister will lay 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 (2x1000 MW).

This project, developed at a cost of approximately Rs 550 crore, will include a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line from Kudankulam to the Tuticorin-II GIS substation, along with 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.

- ANI