Prime Minister Narendra Modi initiated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated a series of development projects amounting to Rs 17,300 crore in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister emphasized that these projects embody the essence of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat,’ contributing to the advancement of Tamil Nadu.
In a bid to establish a transshipment hub for the east coast, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Outer Harbor Container Terminal at V O Chidambaranar Port. This substantial infrastructure project aims to capitalize on India’s extensive coastline and favorable geographical location to bolster the nation’s competitiveness in global trade.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister inaugurated various initiatives with the objective of transforming the V O Chidambaranar Port into the country’s inaugural Green Hydrogen Hub Port. These initiatives encompass a desalination plant, hydrogen production facilities, and bunkering infrastructure.
During the ceremony, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal presented PM Modi with a silver ‘chenkol.’ Ahead of the inauguration, the Prime Minister visited an exhibition showcasing the country’s first Green Hydrogen Hub in Thoothukudi.
As part of the Harit Nauka initiative, PM Modi flagged off India’s premier indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel. Manufactured by Cochin Shipyard, this vessel signifies a significant stride towards embracing clean energy solutions and aligning with the nation’s net-zero commitments.
Additionally, the Prime Minister dedicated tourist amenities in 75 lighthouses across ten States/UTs during the event. Furthermore, he dedicated rail projects for the doubling of the Vanchi Maniyachchi – Nagercoil rail line, encompassing the Vanchi Maniyachchi – Tirunelveli section and the Melappalayam – Aralvaymoli section. Priced at approximately Rs 1,477 crore, the doubling project aims to curtail travel time for trains heading towards Chennai from Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, and Tirunelveli.
Moreover, PM Modi dedicated four road projects in Tamil Nadu, with an aggregate cost of about Rs 4,586 crore. These projects comprise the four-laning of the Jittandahalli-Dharmapuri section of NH-844, two-laning with paved shoulders of the Meensurutti-Chidambaram section of NH-81, four-laning of the Oddanchatram-Madathukulam section of NH-83, and two-laning with paved shoulders of the Nagapattinam-Thanjavur section of NH-83. The objectives of these initiatives encompass augmenting connectivity, diminishing travel time, fostering socio-economic development, and facilitating pilgrimage visits in the region.