PM Modi in Tamil Nadu: ₹5,650 crore projects, new train services and gas network to be launched

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Wednesday, March 11, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for development projects worth a combined ₹16,450 crore, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Major projects in Tamil Nadu

The Prime Minister will attend a programme in Tiruchirappalli around 5:45 pm, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth about ₹5,650 crore. He will also address a public gathering on the occasion.

The projects in Tamil Nadu span key sectors including petroleum and natural gas infrastructure, lubricants manufacturing, rural connectivity, highway development and railway services.

In the energy sector, Modi will lay the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s city gas distribution network in the Nilgiris and Erode districts, developed with an investment of more than ₹3,680 crore. The project is expected to provide PNG connections to over 8.8 lakh households, supply gas to more than 200 commercial establishments, and establish over 201 CNG stations.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation a lube blending plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Manali, built at a cost of around ₹1,490 crore with a capacity of 6,72,000 metric tonnes per annum, strengthening India’s lubricants manufacturing capability.

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Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Modi will inaugurate 89 rural roads covering about 370 km across Tamil Nadu, improving connectivity to markets, schools and healthcare facilities in rural areas.

He will also lay the foundation stone for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on National Highway 81.

In addition, the Prime Minister will flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains and one passenger service, aimed at strengthening rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other states, including Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and eastern India.

Kerala programme schedule

Earlier in the afternoon, Modi will attend a programme in Ernakulam around 1:30 pm, where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for projects worth around ₹10,800 crore and address a gathering.

Among the key projects is the foundation stone for a polypropylene unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, with a capacity of 400 kilo tonnes per annum and an investment exceeding ₹5,500 crore. The facility is expected to boost domestic polymer production, reduce import dependence and generate employment.

In the road sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the six-laning of the Thalapady–Chengala stretch of National Highway 66, developed at a cost of more than ₹2,650 crore. The corridor forms part of the Mumbai–Kanyakumari Economic Corridor and will enhance connectivity between Kasaragod, Kannur and neighbouring regions, including Mangaluru.

Another major project is the six-laning of the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara, built at a cost of about ₹2,140 crore. The upgrade will reduce congestion, improve traffic capacity and cut travel time on the route from over an hour to about 15–20 minutes, while improving access to key destinations such as Kozhikode Beach, Beypore Port and Kappad Beach.

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Modi will also inaugurate 23 rural roads in Kerala under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, aimed at improving connectivity in remote areas and enhancing access to markets, education and healthcare.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the redeveloped Shoranur Junction railway station, Kuttippuram railway station, and Changanassery railway station, which have been modernised with upgraded passenger amenities and improved accessibility.

He will also dedicate the Shoranur–Nilambur Road railway line electrification project, enabling faster and more efficient train operations.

In addition, Modi will flag off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi, improving cross-border rail connectivity for commuters, pilgrims, traders and tourists.

The Prime Minister will further lay the foundation stone for a 50-MW floating solar project at West Kallada, which is expected to support India’s clean energy transition and contribute to a low-carbon energy future.