After the culmination of his state visit to Maldives, Prime Minister will reach Tuticorin directly on July 26, 2025, and he will inaugurate and dedicate to the nation a chain of path-breaking projects of various sectors which will greatly augment regional connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency, improve the backbone of clean energy infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life of people in various parts of Tamil Nadu which would be worth more than ₹4800 crore.
As part of his vision for creating world-class air infrastructure and improved connectivity, the New Terminal Building at Tuticorin Airport, built at an investment of approximately ₹450 crore, meant to cater to the increasing aviation needs of the southern region, is being inaugurated by Prime Minister, who will also conduct a walkthrough of the new terminal building at Tuticorin Airport.
Spanning 17,340 square meters, the terminal shall be designed to cater to 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers per year, with future expansion potential up to 1,800 peak hour passengers and 25 lakh passengers per annum. Equipped with 100 pc LED lighting, energy-saving E&M systems, and recycling of treated water through an in-house Sewage Treatment Plant, the terminal has been planned to achieve a GRIHA-4 sustainability certification. The new terminal will substantially improve regional air connectivity and propel tourism, trade, and investment for southern Tamil Nadu.
In the road infrastructure sector, Prime Minister will inaugurate to the country two strategically important highway projects. One of them is the 4-laning of 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram section of NH-36, developed at over ₹2,350 crore under the Vikravandi–Thanjavur corridor. It consists of three bypasses, a four-lane 1-km bridge across the Kollidam River, four large bridges, seven flyovers, and various underpasses, saving travel time by 45 minutes between Sethiyathope–Cholapuram and enhancing connectivity to Delta region's cultural and agricultural centres. The second is the 6-laning of the 5.16 km NH-138 Tuticorin Port Road, constructed at about ₹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 significant stimulus to enhance port infrastructure and green energy efforts, North Cargo Berth–III with cargo handling capacity of 6.96 MMTPA at V.O. Chidambaranar Port will be inaugurated by Prime Minister at a cost of approximately ₹285 crore. It will assist in addressing the increasing demand for handling dry bulk cargo requirements from the area, thus enhancing overall port efficiency and cargo handling logistics optimisation.
Prime Minister will inaugurate three important railway infrastructure schemes in south Tamil Nadu to enhance sustainable and efficient connectivity. Electrification of the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur section will encourage environmentally friendly transport and facilitate tourism and daily commuting in Madurai and Theni. Doubling of the 21 km Nagercoil Town–Kanniyakumari section, a part of the Thiruvananthapuram–Kanniyakumari project costing ₹650 crore, will enhance connectivity between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Also, the doubling of the sections of Aralvaymozhi–Nagercoil Junction (12.87km) and Tirunelveli–Melappalayam (3.6 km) will lower travel time on key southern corridors such as Chennai–Kanyakumari and increase regional economic integration through enhanced passenger and freight carrying capacity.
Besides augmenting further the state's power infrastructure and guaranteeing, Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for a prestigious 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, which was prepared at a cost of approximately ₹550 crore, will comprise a 400 kV (quad) double-circuit transmission line connecting Kudankulam and the Tuticorin-II GIS substation along with related terminal gear. It will be instrumental in reinforcing the national grid, providing reliable clean energy supply, and addressing the increasing power needs of Tamil Nadu as well as other benefited states.
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Following day in Tiruchirappalli, Prime Minister will launch a commemorative coin in memory of one of India's greatest emperors, Rajendra Chola I, marking Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival as part of a public function at Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.
This unique celebration also marks 1,000 years of the historical maritime expedition of Rajendra Chola I to South East Asia and the laying of the foundation of the famous Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a stunning piece of Chola architecture.
Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE) was one of the greatest and most visionary rulers in Indian history. During his reign, the Chola Empire spread its influence throughout South and Southeast Asia. He founded Gangaikonda Cholapuram as his imperial capital following his successful campaigns, and the temple he constructed there was a shining example of Shaiva piety, imposing architecture, and administrative skill for more than 250 years. Now, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and renowned for its exquisite sculptures, Chola bronzes, and ancient inscriptions.
The Aadi Thiruvathirai festival also celebrates the fecund Tamil Shaiva Bhakti tradition, strictly propagated by the Cholas and continued by the 63 Nayanmars— the Tamil Shaiva saint-poets. Interestingly enough, the birth star of Rajendra Chola, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), coincides with 23rd July, which lends more significance to the current year's festival.
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