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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
