MADURAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs 4,400 crore in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai on Sunday, hailing the event as a proud milestone in the state’s growth journey.
These initiatives, he said, will revolutionize connectivity, boost the economy, generate jobs, and uplift millions of lives. Improved roads will link farmers to markets, seamless travel will benefit tourists and pilgrims, and faster transport will empower businesses.
Over the past 12 years, the central government has poured massive investments into Tamil Nadu’s highway network. Since 2014, more than 4,000 kilometers of highways have been built here. On this occasion, PM Modi laid foundation stones for two major national highway projects.
Turning to railways, the Prime Minister highlighted a historic transformation in Indian Railways over the last decade, evolving into a modern, efficient, passenger-centric system—especially evident in Tamil Nadu. Railway budget allocations for the state have surged nearly ninefold since his government took office. From an average of Rs 880 crore annually between 2009-2014, it will reach Rs 7,600 crore by 2026-27.
He recalled inaugurating the new Pamban Bridge last year, India’s first vertical-lift sea bridge, a marvel of engineering now drawing tourists. Currently, nine Vande Bharat and nine Amrit Bharat trains serve Tamil Nadu, with coaches manufactured at Chennai’s Integral Coach Factory—embodying ‘Make in India’ and creating jobs for youth.
Infrastructure funding for Tamil Nadu has tripled in the past decade, with the 2026 budget prioritizing the state further. It proposes bullet train corridors between Bengaluru-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad, set to transform regional economies. Tamil Nadu is also included in the ‘Rare Earth Corridor’ to advance manufacturing, research, and tech development.
PM Modi emphasized Tamil Nadu’s rich history and heritage, pledging to develop sites like Adichanallur as global heritage landmarks. As India aims for a developed nation by 2047, he said Tamil Nadu will play a pivotal role. ‘A developed Tamil Nadu for a developed India’ is the collective goal, with the Centre fully committed to inclusive growth and state progress.