**Executive Summary**
The Prime Minister will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on March 11, 2026, to inaugurate, dedicate, and lay the foundation stones for multiple development projects totaling approximately ₹16,450 crore. These projects span sectors such as petroleum, natural gas, rural connectivity, and highway development. The visit includes significant events in Ernakulam, Kerala, and Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Projects in Ernakulam, Kerala (Approx. ₹10,800 crore)**
* **Petroleum and Natural Gas Infrastructure:**
* Foundation stone for the Polypropylene Unit at Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), with an investment exceeding ₹5,500 crore. This unit will have a capacity of 400 Kilo Tons Per Annum.
* Foundation stone for BPCL's City Gas Distribution Network in The Nilgiris and Erode districts, with an investment of over ₹3,680 crore, targeting 8.8 lakh households and 200 commercial establishments with PNG connections and over 201 CNG stations.
* Foundation stone for a 50 MW Floating Solar Project at West Kallada, Kollam district.
* **Road Infrastructure:**
* Inauguration of the six-laning of the Thalapady-Chengala section of NH-66, costing over ₹2,650 crore, enhancing connectivity for Kasaragod and Kannur districts.
* Inauguration of the six-laning of the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara, costing around ₹2,140 crore, expected to reduce travel time significantly.
* Inauguration of 23 rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
* **Railway Infrastructure:**
* Inauguration of three redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery.
* Dedication of the Shoranur-Nilambur Road Railway Line Electrification Project.
* Flagging off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi.
**Projects in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu (Approx. ₹5,650 crore)**
* **Petroleum and Natural Gas Infrastructure:**
* Dedication to the nation of the 672 Thousand Metric Tonnes Per Annum Lube Blending Plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Manali, Chennai, with an investment of about ₹1,490 crore.
* **Rural Connectivity:**
* Inauguration of 89 rural roads spanning 370 km under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
* **Highway Development:**
* Foundation stone for a greenfield bypass near Gangaikonda Cholapuram on NH-81.
* **Railway Services:**
* Flagging off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains, and one passenger train service.
**Impact Analysis**
**Residents of Ernakulam and surrounding areas in Kerala**
* **Impact:** Improved connectivity, enhanced public transport efficiency, increased access to markets and employment, and contributions to sustainable energy.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for residents.
**Residents of The Nilgiris and Erode districts in Kerala**
* **Impact:** Increased access to piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for households and commercial establishments, potentially leading to lower energy costs and improved living standards.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for residents.
**Commuters, pilgrims, traders, and tourists in Kerala and Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Faster and more efficient train operations, improved passenger amenities at railway stations, enhanced road connectivity leading to reduced travel times and increased trade opportunities.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for commuters, pilgrims, or traders.
**Local Industries and Businesses in Kerala and Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Strengthening of India's domestic polymer and lubricants manufacturing capabilities, reduced import dependency, and promotion of industrial growth and employment opportunities.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for local industries and businesses.
**General Public**
* **Impact:** Contributions to national clean energy goals and a commitment towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is mentioned for the general public.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): A scheme for rural road construction.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: A scheme for the redevelopment of railway stations.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): A company involved in the Polypropylene Unit and City Gas Distribution Network projects.
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL): A company involved in the Lube Blending Plant project.
NH-66: A national highway undergoing six-laning projects.
Prime Minister's Office
PM to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11th March
PM to inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation
stone and flag off multiple developmental projects worth
around ₹10,800 crore in Ernakulum
PM to lay the foundation stone for Polypropylene Unit at
Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
PM to inaugurate two major highway projects: six-laning of
Thalapady-Chengala section of NH-66 and six-laning of
Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara
PM to inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation
stone and flag off multiple development projects worth
around ₹5,650 crore in Tiruchirappalli
Projects span key sectors including petroleum and natural
gas infrastructure, rural connectivity, highway development
and railway services
PM to lay foundation stone for BPCL’s City Gas Distribution
Network in The Nilgiris and Erode districts and dedicate to
the nation Lube Blending Plant of IOCL in Chennai
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 8:58PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on 11th March 2026. At around 1:30
PM, Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation stone and flag off multiple
developmental projects worth around ₹10,800 crore in Ernakulum, Kerala. Prime Minister will also
address the gathering during the programme. Thereafter at around 5:45 PM, Prime Minister will
inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth
about ₹5,650 crore in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister will also address the gathering on the
occasion.
PM in ErnakulumPM will lay the foundation stone for Polypropylene Unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum
Corporation Limited (BPCL). The investment on this project is over ₹5,500 crore The capacity of this
Polypropylene Unit is 400 Kilo Tons Per Annum. Polypropylene is an essential material used in
packaging, automotive components, medical devices, textiles, and household products. The facility will
strengthen India’s domestic polymer manufacturing capability, reduce import dependency, promote
industrial growth and will generate employment opportunities in the region.
In the road infrastructure sector, Prime Minister will inaugurate two major highway projects. The first is
the six-laning of Thalapady-Chengala section of NH-66, built at a cost of over ₹2,650 crore. This section
forms part of the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Economic Corridor and will strengthen connectivity between
Kasaragod and Kannur districts and neighbouring regions including Mangalore and Muzhapilangad. The
project will improve connectivity to key towns such as Kasaragod, Bekal, Payyannur and Kannur, enhance
linkage to Azhikkal Port and support tourism and trade.
The second project is the six-laning of Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara, constructed
at a cost of around ₹2,140 crore. The project upgrades the existing undivided two-lane road into a six-lane
highway with service roads on both sides. It will significantly reduce congestion, improve traffic capacity
and enhance road safety. The travel time along this stretch is expected to reduce from over one hour to
about 15–20 minutes. The project will also improve connectivity to important destinations such as
Kozhikode Beach, Beypore Port and Kappad Beach, boosting tourism and trade in the region.
Prime Minister will also inaugurate 23 rural roads constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak
Yojana (PMGSY) in Kerala. These roads will improve connectivity in rural and remote areas and help
ensure better access to markets, education, healthcare and employment opportunities, thereby
strengthening rural livelihoods.
Prime Minister will inaugurate three redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
- Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram, and Changanassery. These stations have been modernised with
improved passenger amenities and enhanced accessibility. The redevelopment integrates local
architectural elements while creating modern, safe and convenient travel spaces for passengers.
Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the Shoranur-Nilambur Road Railway Line Electrification
Project. The electrification of this important rail section will enable faster, more efficient and sustainable
train operations by eliminating the need for locomotive changes at Shoranur. Prime Minister will also flag
off a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi, strengthening rail connectivity between Kerala and
Tamil Nadu. The service will benefit daily commuters, pilgrims, traders and tourists travelling between the
two states.
Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of 50 MW Floating Solar Project at West Kallada,
Kollam district, Kerala. This project will contribute to India’s clean energy goals and reinforce the
country’s commitment towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future.
PM in Tiruchirappalli
Prime Minister will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation stone and flag off multiple
development projects worth around ₹5,650 crore in Tiruchirappalli. The projects cover key sectors
including petroleum and natural gas infrastructure, lubricants manufacturing, rural connectivity, highway
development and railway services.
In the petroleum sector, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corporation
Limited’s City Gas Distribution Network in The Nilgiris and Erode districts at an investment of more than
₹3,680 crore. The project will provide PNG connections to over 8.8 lakh households, supply gas to more
than 200 commercial establishments and establish over 201 CNG stationsPrime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the 672 Thousand Metric Tonnes Per Annum Lube
Blending Plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Manali in Chennai. Developed at an investment of about
₹1,490 crore, the plant will strengthen India’s lubricants manufacturing capacity.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate 89 rural roads
spanning 370 km in Tamil Nadu, which will significantly improve connectivity to markets, schools and
healthcare facilities in rural areas. Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for greenfield bypass near
Gangaikonda Cholapuram on NH-81.
Prime Minister will also flag off two Amrit Bharat Express trains, two express trains and a passenger train
service, strengthening rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other regions including Telangana,
Karnataka, Kerala and eastern India, thereby benefiting passengers and supporting regional economic
growth.
****
MJPS/ST
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