On March 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects across Tamil Nadu worth approximately ₹5,650 crore. These projects are expected to create thousands of jobs for the youth of the state.
Wearing a traditional shirt and dhoti, Modi, after unveiling the projects, said, "It is wonderful to be in Trichy. Today's program is important for the future of Tamil Nadu. These projects, worth ₹5,600 crore, focus on infrastructure, clean energy, petroleum-related manufacturing, highways, railways, and rural roads. They will improve energy access, connectivity, and create thousands of jobs for the youth of Tamil Nadu," he said.
The Prime Minister also launched two Amrit Bharat Express trains – the Nagercoil-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express and the Podanur (Coimbatore)-Dhanbad Amrit Bharat Express – as well as two express trains – the Rameswaram-Mangaluru Express and the Tirunelveli-Mangaluru Express, and a new train service between Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur-Karaikkudi, strengthening rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other regions, including Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, and eastern India.
Alongside Union Minister Piyush Goyal, L Murugan, AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, BJP Tamil Nadu Chief Nainar Nagendhran, Modi laid the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited's City Gas Distribution Network in Nilgiris and Erode districts, with an investment of over ₹3,680 crore.
The project will provide PNG connections to over 8.8 million households, supply gas to more than 200 commercial establishments, and establish over 201 CNG stations.
Modi also dedicated the ₹1,490 crore IOCL Lube Plant with a capacity of 672,000 metric tonnes per annum at Manali in Chennai. This plant will strengthen India's lubricant manufacturing capacity.
"You will be proud to know that this is one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. This plant will meet the demand of many important industries both in Tamil Nadu and outside. The increase in local production of lubricants will also reduce imports and save money for the nation," he said.
After unveiling all the projects, Modi said, "Our goal is to create a developed Tamil Nadu for a developed Nation. The central government is fully committed to the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu. We are working day and night for the State's progress, and we will continue to do so."
On this occasion, Modi inaugurated 89 rural roads spanning 370 km in Tamil Nadu under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, which will significantly improve connectivity to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities in rural areas.
"Each of these roads is not just a piece of infrastructure; they will improve healthcare access, enable students to travel to schools and colleges comfortably, and allow farmers to transport their produce to markets or buy inputs. Overall, these roads will boost the rural economy and improve people's quality of life," he said.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on NH-81. He recalled his visit to Gangaikonda Cholapuram for the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival last year.
"We celebrated 1,000 years of the beginning of the construction of the Grand Temple by Emperor Rajendra Chola. It is a UNESCO-recognized site that attracts tourists from all over the world. Today, we are laying the foundation stone of an important highway project there. The existing highway is very close to the temple, which poses a safety concern for pilgrims. With the construction of a new bypass, other vehicles will be diverted away from the temple, ensuring better safety for everyone," he said.
Modi also noted that the Bharat Petroleum City Gas Distribution project will provide piped natural gas to nearly nine lakh families and hundreds of commercial organizations. "Piped gas will directly reach homes, boosting ease of living. Thousands of jobs will be created, both directly and indirectly. Natural gas is an environmentally friendly fuel that plays a crucial role in reducing air pollution," he said.
He further stated that the positive environmental impact of this project over just 8 years would be equivalent to planting 4 crore trees.
Observing that the Indian Oil Corporation's Lube blending plant in Chennai is one of the world's largest facilities of its kind, Modi said, "This plant will meet the demand of many important industries both in Tamil Nadu and outside. The increase in local production of lubricants will also reduce imports and save money for the nation."
Referring to his visit to Madurai on March 1, PM Modi inaugurated 8 modernised redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat programme.
"Today, several new train services are being flagged off. They connect places like Nagercoil, Coimbatore, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Myladuthurai, Karaikudi with other regions. These new train services will increase tourism, boost the local economy, and create many jobs for the youth," he said.
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented a memento and a shawl to Modi on the occasion.