In a significant stride towards fostering development and connectivity in South India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on a visit to Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep on 2 & 3 January 2024. The Prime Minister’s itinerary includes the inauguration, dedication to the nation, and laying the foundation stone for various projects with a cumulative value exceeding ₹19,850 crore in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Highlights
On 2 January 2024, the Prime Minister will grace the 38th Convocation Ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, where he is expected to confer awards upon outstanding students and deliver an address. Following this, a public program in Tiruchirappalli will witness the inauguration of the new Terminal Building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, designed at a cost exceeding ₹1100 crore. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of serving over 44 lakh passengers annually.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate several railway projects, including the doubling of the Salem–Magnesite Junction–Omalur–Mettur Dam section, the electrification of various rail lines, and crucial road sector projects aimed at enhancing connectivity in the region.
Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for vital road development projects, such as the construction of a 31 km four-lane road from Mugaiyur to Marakkanam (NH 332A) that will connect ports on the East Coast of Tamil Nadu, enhancing connectivity to the world heritage site – Mamallapuram.
PM Modi will also dedicate the General Cargo Berth-II at Kamarajar Port, marking a significant step toward fortifying the nation’s trade and boosting economic growth and employment.
In the energy sector, Prime Minister Modi will dedicate two major projects: the 488 km long natural gas pipeline by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) and the 697 km long Vijayawada-Dharmapuri Multiproduct (POL) Petroleum Pipeline by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
The pinnacle of the Tamil Nadu visit will be the dedication of the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam. This unique facility, developed at a cost of ₹400 crore, signifies a significant step toward establishing large-scale commercial fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants.
Lakshadweep Highlights:
Upon reaching Lakshadweep on 2 January 2024, Prime Minister Modi will unveil development projects exceeding ₹1150 crore. A transformative move includes the inauguration of the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI – SOFC) project, significantly improving internet speed in the region.
For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable, facilitating faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, and digital literacy.
The Prime Minister will also dedicate the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat, producing 1.5 lakh litres of clean drinking water daily. Additionally, Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy islands will be dedicated, addressing the longstanding challenge of potable water scarcity in the coral islands.
Other projects include the solar power plant at Kavaratti, the new administrative block and 80 Men barrack in India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) Complex at Kavaratti, and the foundation stone laying for the renovation of the Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and the construction of five model Anganwadi Centres (Nand Ghars) in various islands.
The Prime Minister’s visit is poised to usher in a new era of development, connectivity, and progress in Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep, setting the stage for a brighter future in the region.
(with inputs from PIB)
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