Centre's goal is to develop TN, says PM inaugurating Rs 4,400 cr projects in Madurai
Madurai (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the Centre's "collective goal" was a developed Tamil Nadu for a developed India, and assured that the Centre remained fully committed to enabling inclusive development and the state's progress.
In his address after inaugurating infrastructure projects worth over Rs 4,400 crore, he said, "Our collective goal is a developed Tamil Nadu for a developed India. Every Indian is inspired to build a developed nation by 2047. Tamil Nadu will play a decisive role in shaping the nation's destiny."
He assured that the Centre would remain fully committed to enabling inclusive development and the state's progress.
Tamil Nadu, he said, has a rich history, and 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", he said.
"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 Rs 4,400 crore," he said.
The projects would transform connectivity, boost the economy, create jobs and transform lakhs of people's lives, he said.
He recalled that the government of India has made huge investments in Tamil Nadu's highway network and over 4,000 km of highways have been built in the State since 2014.
On the railway projects unveiled by him today, Modi said the Indian Railways has undergone a historic transformation over the last decade and 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 (2014), he said.
Citing statistics, he said, during 2009 to 2014, the average yearly railway allocation was Rs 880 crore.
In 2026-27, it increased to Rs 7,600 crore, he said.
Noting that 9 Vande Bharat trains and 9 Amrit Bharat trains benefited people of Tamil Nadu, he said their coaches were manufactured at ICF.
Highlighting that the infrastructure funding to Tamil Nadu has tripled compared to the previous decade, Modi said, "The budget of 2026 continues the trend with a strong focus on Tamil Nadu."
In this budget, the Centre has proposed Bengaluru-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad bullet train corridors. "They will revolutionise the economy of this whole region," he said.
The PM laid foundation stones for four-laning of Marakkanam–Puducherry section and Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram section of key NH routes, and inaugurated eight redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu and dedicated to the nation, Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore 4th Line.
He inaugurated three new Akashvani FM relay transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore to further strengthen broadcasting services in Tamil Nadu and to expand regional coverage, ensure uninterrupted FM broadcasting and enhance access to public broadcasting services across multiple districts of the State.
Later, Modi visited the famous Arulmigu Subrahmanya Swamy Temple at neighbouring Tirupparankundram near here amid tight security arrangements.
The PM who arrived at around 4.15 pm was accorded "purna-kumbha" honours by the temple administration.
Clad in 'dhoti, kurta' and a shawl, the Prime Minister walked around the temple and later offered prayers to the main deity.
Modi was accompanied by Governor R N Ravi, Union Minister L Murugan and BJP state chief Nainar Nagenthran.
Modi's visit to the shrine follows a controversy last year over the lighting of lamp on the "deepathoon" (pillar) on the hilltop, with the matter reaching the court.
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Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
#WATCH | Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, "A list of 27 candidates has been released by the BJP High Command... All the 27 candidates will surely win this time..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2026
On Annamalai's name not appearing in the recently released list, he says, "This is a… https://t.co/pDd0HodSAW pic.twitter.com/29gkGK9AaP
