The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs. 2,700 crore in Puducherry today. These projects cover key sectors including infrastructure, education, health, and mobility to transform the lives of the people.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister noted ,”Puducherry is the land of Siddhars, saints, poets, and freedom fighters, where Mahakavi Subramania Bharati ignited the fire of nationalism and Sri Aurobindo and The Mother provided a spiritual vision for the world.”
The Prime Minister reiterated his mantra for 'BEST' Puducherry, representing Business, Education, Spirituality, and Tourism. “In the last four and a half years, this vision has led to good governance and development, evidenced by a rise in per capita income and the highest Social Progress Index score in the country.” Shri Modi highlighted.
Highlighting the great emphasis nationwide, on infrastructure, the Prime Minister mentioned the record Rs. 12 lakh crore set aside in this year’s budget. "Puducherry has now been included under the 'Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment' scheme, which was previously restricted only to states; this will ensure more funding for essential infrastructure like roads, water supply, schools, hospitals, and many such projects," Shri Modi remarked.
The Prime Minister emphasised , “A strong and empowered youth is the foundation of our growth.We are working to support their dreams”.The Prime Minister emphasized that the newly inaugurated Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Engineering Block and modern hostel facilities at NIT Karaikal, along with infrastructure upgrades at Pondicherry University, will significantly strengthen technical education and support for numerous students.He also congratulated the youth who joined the government following the filling of thousands of long-standing vacancies.
Shri Modi observed that the world is currently focusing on cleaner and greener mobility, with electric vehicles becoming an essential part of daily life. He noted that in a tourism hub like Puducherry, electric buses—provided today under PM e-Bus Sewa—can be a gamechanger in reducing pollution. Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted housing projects designed to provide families with stability and dignity, alongside projects worth several hundred crores across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam. These initiatives include water desalination plants to ensure clean drinking water, new Sewage Treatment Plants to improve waste management, and ongoing work to reduce flooding and waterlogging during monsoons.The Prime Minister remarked, "All our efforts are towards providing Ease of Living for the people of Puducherry".
The Prime Minister highlighted that any nation can progress only when its human capital is healthy, making healthcare the government's foremost priority. He expressed the belief that healthcare must be accessible, available, and affordable to all, a vision already being fulfilled for crores of families via the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Emphasizing that no citizen of Puducherry should be forced to travel far for treatment, he noted that the region, which already possesses nine medical colleges, has the potential to become a medical tourism hub. To further expand healthcare capacity, the Regional Cancer Centre at JIPMER is being modernized, and the foundation stone has been laid for three Critical Care Blocks under PM-ABHIM in Puducherry and Karaikal to enhance emergency services. Additionally, the new Integrated AYUSH Hospital in Karaikal will build upon the region's reputation for Siddha medicine and holistic healthcare. Shri Modi remarked, "I strongly believe that Puducherry can become a medical tourism hub"
The Prime Minister emphasized that connectivity is the backbone of progress, focusing on both rural and urban infrastructure. He highlighted that hundreds of kilometers of rural roads are being built to improve access for students, farmers, and small businesses. "Simultaneously, over Rs. 1,000 crore is being invested to decongest Puducherry Town, including a new Rs. 440 crore flyover," PM Modi remarked. He further highlighted that connectivity to Chennai is also being enhanced via the East Coast and Grand Southern Trunk roads, reducing travel time to under two hours. "With over Rs. 30,000 crore invested in the East Coast Corridor up to Kanyakumari, these projects link Puducherry to major economic hubs like Bengaluru and Coimbatore, significantly boosting tourism, trade, and industry," Shri Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister identified tourism as one of Puducherry’s greatest strengths, noting that it already attracts thousands of visitors as a premier weekend destination. He attributed this success to the warmth of the local people and noted that trains and flights to the region remain consistently full. “Through targeted investments in spiritual, eco, and health tourism, the government is taking this sector to new heights, including the development of pilgrimage facilities at various temples under the PRASHAD Scheme”, Shri Modi remarked. The Prime Minister also highlighted that Sri Aurobindo and The Mother envisioned Auroville as the Universal City of Consciousness, expressing his happiness that a Global Spiritual Mahotsav is beginning there today. He emphasized that such gatherings serve to unite people across different regions and religions.
The Prime Minister recalled that Puducherry has been an integral part of India’s freedom struggle, having served as the birthplace or workplace for many great leaders. He noted that this land was crucial to India achieving independence in 1947. Looking towards the future, the Prime Minister emphasized the mission to create a developed Puducherry and a developed India by 2047, assuring that the double-engine government is committed to this goal. The Prime Minister concluded with the assertion, "We will keep working for BEST Puducherry".
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When I came here earlier, I had given the mantra of BEST Puducherry.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 1, 2026
BEST means Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism.
In the last four and a half years, this vision is bearing fruit.
Puducherry has witnessed good governance and development: PM @narendramodi
A strong and empowered youth is the foundation of our growth.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 1, 2026
We are working to support their dreams.
At NIT Karaikal, the new Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Engineering Block and modern hostel facilities will strengthen technical education for many students.
Infrastructure upgrades have…
We believe that healthcare should be accessible, available and affordable to all.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 1, 2026
Ayushman Bharat scheme is already fulfilling this vision for crores of families across India: PM @narendramodi
I strongly believe that Puducherry can become a medical tourism hub.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 1, 2026
Puducherry already has nine medical colleges.
The modernisation of the Regional Cancer Centre at JIPMER will further expand healthcare capacity.
Today, the foundation stone has been laid for three Critical…
