**Executive Summary**
This document is the text of a speech delivered by the Prime Minister at the launch of infrastructure projects in Madurai, Tamil Nadu on March 1, 2026. The speech highlights investments in Tamil Nadu's highway and railway infrastructure, including new projects, electrification, and station modernisations. The goal is to transform connectivity, boost the economy, and create jobs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Infrastructure Investments:**
* Over ₹4,400 Crore worth of projects have been initiated.
* Over 4,000 kilometers of highways have been built in Tamil Nadu since 2014.
* The Marakkanam-Puducherry section will be four-laned with an investment of ₹2,100 Crore.
* The Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram stretch will be four-laned with an investment of ₹1,800 Crore.
* Railway budget allocation for Tamil Nadu has increased nearly nine-fold since the government came in.
* ₹7,600 Crore railway allocation for 2026-27.
* Over 1,300 kilometers of new railway tracks have been laid in Tamil Nadu, and 97% electrification has been achieved.
* **Railway Improvements:**
* 9 Vande Bharat trains and 9 Amrit Bharat trains are benefiting Tamil Nadu.
* Seventy-Seven railway stations are being modernised under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
* Eight redeveloped stations across Tamil Nadu are being inaugurated.
* The Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth line will benefit thousands of daily commuters.
* **Connectivity Enhancements:**
* New Pamban Bridge, India's first vertical lift sea bridge, inaugurated.
* New FM relay transmitters inaugurated in Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore.
* **Economic Development and Heritage:**
* Tamil Nadu positioned as part of the Rare Earth Corridors to promote advanced manufacturing, research, and technology development.
* Historic sites like Adichanallur will be developed into global heritage destinations.
* Ecotourism initiatives around Lake Pulicat and Podhigai Malai will create new job opportunities.
* Two Hundred industrial clusters will be supported across the nation to boost manufacturing.
* **Future Plans:**
* Bengaluru-Chennai and Chennai–Hyderabad bullet train corridors are proposed.
* Aim to create a developed Tamil Nadu for a developed India by 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Pilgrims and Tourists**
* **Impact:** Easier travel to religious sites like Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of improved infrastructure and connectivity.
**Stakeholder: Farmers**
* **Impact:** Better roads for reaching markets and transporting agricultural produce.
* **Action Required:** Utilize improved road networks for efficient product delivery.
**Stakeholder: Businesses**
* **Impact:** Faster transportation leading to improved efficiency and profitability.
* **Action Required:** Capitalize on improved transport infrastructure for business growth.
**Stakeholder: Commuters in Chennai**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the dedicated Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth line.
* **Action Required:** Utilize new line to improve commute times.
**Stakeholder: Youth**
* **Impact:** Increased job opportunities through infrastructure projects, tourism, and manufacturing initiatives.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for and seek employment opportunities created by the infrastructure and development projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Tamil Nadu: Indian state where infrastructure projects are being launched, heavily emphasized in the PM's speech.
Indian Railways: Mentioned for its transformation, increased budget allocation, and electrification of tracks in Tamil Nadu.
Madurai: City in Tamil Nadu, location of the infrastructure works launch.
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: Scheme under which railway stations are being modernized.
Prime Minister's Office
Text of PM’s speech at the launch of various
infrastructure works in Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Posted On: 01 MAR 2026 4:28PM by PIB Delhi
Shri R. N. Ravi, L. Murugan, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, Nainar Nagendran, E. V. Velu, and my dear
brothers and sisters of Tamil Nadu, Vanakkam!
I feel honoured to be in the sacred and historic city of Madurai. I bow to Meenakshi Amman and Bhagwan
Sundareswarar. Today’s event marks a proud chapter in Tamil Nadu’s development journey. We have laid
foundation stones, inaugurated and dedicated to the nation, projects worth over Four Thousand Four
Hundred Crore Rupees. These projects will transform connectivity, boost the economy, create jobs and
transform lakhs of people’s lives. Better roads for farmers to reach markets. Easier travel for pilgrims and
tourists. Faster transport for businesses. Building high-quality infrastructure is about empowering people.
Friends,
Over the past twelve years, the Government of India has made huge investments in Tamil Nadu’s highway
network. Over Four Thousand Kilometres of highways have been built here since 2014. Today, I am happy
to lay the foundation stone for two major national highway projects. First, the four-laning of the
Marakkanam–Puducherry section, with an investment of over Two Thousand One Hundred Crore Rupees.
This will strengthen coastal tourism, trade and economy in both Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Second, the
four-laning of the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram stretch. In this project, we are investing over One
Thousand Eight Hundred Crore Rupees. It will significantly enhance access to places like Rameswaram
and Dhanushkodi. This ensures ease of travel for pilgrims and smoother movement of agricultural produce
and marine products.
Friends,
Over the last decade, Indian Railways has undergone a historic transformation. It is emerging as a modern,
efficient and people-centric transport system. This transformation is particularly visible in Tamil Nadu.
The railway budget allocation for Tamil Nadu has increased nearly nine-fold since our government came
in. During 2009 to 2014, the average yearly railway allocation was Eight Hundred and Eighty Crore
Rupees. In 2026–27, the allocation has increased to Seven Thousand Six Hundred Crore Rupees.
In Tamil Nadu, more than One Thousand Three Hundred Kilometres of new tracks have been laid. 97%
electrification has been achieved. Hundreds of flyovers and underpasses have improved safety and
efficiency. Last year, I had the privilege of inaugurating the new Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu. It is
India’s first vertical lift sea bridge, a symbol of engineering excellence. This bridge in itself has become a
major tourist attraction in Tamil Nadu.
Friends,
Right now, 9 Vande Bharat trains and 9 Amrit Bharat trains are benefitting the people of Tamil Nadu. The
coaches of such high-speed trains are being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. It is a
matter of pride that our vision of ‘Make in India’ is boosting self-reliance and creating jobs for our youth.Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Seventy-Seven railway stations are being modernised. These
stations blend comfort, accessibility and local identity. Today, we are inaugurating Eight redeveloped
stations across Tamil Nadu. The dedication of the Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth line will benefit
thousands of daily commuters in Chennai. I am also pleased to inaugurate Akashvani’s new FM relay
transmitters in Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore. These radio stations will be dedicated to your service
from today.
Friends,
Infrastructure funding to Tamil Nadu has now tripled, compared to the previous decade. And the Budget of
2026 continues the trend with a strong focus on Tamil Nadu. In this budget, we have proposed Bengaluru–
Chennai and Chennai–Hyderabad bullet train corridors. They will revolutionise the economy of this whole
region. The budget positions Tamil Nadu as part of the Rare Earth Corridors. Rare Earth Corridors will
promote advanced manufacturing, research and technology development.
Friends,
Tamil Nadu has a rich history and heritage. Historic sites such as Adichanallur will be developed into
global heritage destinations. Ecotourism initiatives around Lake Pulicat and Podhigai Malai will create
new job opportunities while preserving natural ecosystems. Across the nation, around Two Hundred
industrial clusters will be identified and supported, to boost manufacturing. We all know that Tamil Nadu
is home to many industries and therefore, this scheme will benefit the youth here.
Friends,
Every Indian is inspired to build a developed nation by 2047. Tamil Nadu will play a decisive role in
shaping the nation’s destiny. Our collective goal is a developed Tamil Nadu for developed India. The
Centre remains fully committed to enabling inclusive development and the state’s progress.
Nandri!
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MJPS/Siddhant Tiwari
(Release ID: 2234199) Visitor Counter : 354
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