New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the highly anticipated Pamban Sea Bridge and unveiled a series of major infrastructure projects worth Rs 8,300 crore in Tamil Nadu. During the event, Modi emphasized the central government’s focus on enhancing infrastructure in the state, noting a significant rise in funding for key development projects over the past decade.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Tamil Nadu’s railway budget has grown more than sevenfold since 2014. Previously, the state received just Rs 900 crore annually for railway projects, but this year’s budget allocation has surged to over Rs 6,000 crore. Modi also noted that the Government of India is modernizing 77 railway stations in Tamil Nadu, including the Rameswaram station.
In his address, Modi spoke of the rich Tamil culture and language, urging the state government to permit medical students to study in their mother tongue. He also criticized politicians who failed to use Tamil in their communications, stating that they did not even sign letters in the language.
The Prime Minister further discussed several achievements from the past decade, including a sixfold increase in investments for roads, airports, ports, energy, and infrastructure. He pointed to the development of Eastern and Western freight corridors and new rail services like Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat, which have bolstered logistics and infrastructure nationwide.
Modi also acknowledged the government’s efforts in assisting Tamil Nadu’s fishing community, stating that over 3,700 fishermen had been released from Sri Lankan prisons, with more than 600 freed this year alone.
The inauguration of the Pamban Sea Bridge, a major infrastructure feat, marks another milestone in the state’s development, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to regional growth and progress.
