Tiruchirappalli is under heightened security measures as it prepares to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the inauguration of the new terminal building at the city’s international airport on Tuesday. The BJP has adorned the city with large banners extending a warm reception to the Prime Minister upon his arrival, featuring the message “Hearty Welcome Modi Era 3.0” alongside images of PM Modi, BJP state chief K Annamalai, and other state leaders.
The newly constructed international airport terminal, costing over Rs 1100 crore, is designed to accommodate more than 44 lakh passengers annually and around 3,500 during peak hours, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Tiruchirappalli International Airport ranks as the second-largest airport for international passenger traffic after Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
The terminal boasts 60 check-in counters, 5 Baggage Carousels, 60 Arrival Immigration Counters, and 44 departure emigration counters. The architectural design draws inspiration from Tiruchirappalli’s cultural vibrancy, featuring artwork reflecting Kolam art, the colors of Srirangam Temple, and other themes illustrating India’s connection to the world.
Rajavignesh, the creative director for the terminal’s artworks, mentioned, “We have done a lot of painting work (on the new terminal) and have installed murals. A total of 100 artists were employed in furnishing the new terminal with artworks, and the murals were installed within 30 days.”
During his visit, PM Modi will inaugurate the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, and participate in the 38th convocation ceremony of Bharathidasan University. The prime minister will also inaugurate several railway projects, including the doubling of the Salem-Magnesite Junction-Omalur-Mettur Dam section, the doubling of the Madurai-Tuticorin rail line, and electrification projects for the Tiruchirappalli-Manamadurai-Virudhunagar, Virudhunagar-Tenkasi Junction, and Sengottai-Tenkasi Junction-Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur routes.
Additionally, PM Modi will unveil a 500-bed boys hostel at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli. This visit is part of the Prime Minister’s two-day tour of Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Kerala on January 2 and 3.