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PM Modi addresses public meetings in Madurai and Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

Published By : Admin | April 2, 2021 | 11:30 IST
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PM Modi today addressed public meetings in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai and Kanyakumari. Talking about his visit to Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple, PM Modi said, “Yesterday, I had the blessed opportunity to pray at the Sri Meenakshi Temple. I will cherish those divine moments for the rest of my life.”

Lauding Madurai’s association with Tamil culture, PM Modi asserted, “Madurai is closely associated with the world's oldest language, Tamil. Here, one thinks about the Tamil Sangams. I want to appreciate all those working to make Tamil culture and literature more popular. This land had a great influence on Mahatma Gandhi.”

Invoking MGR’s contributions, the Prime Minister stated, “South Tamil Nadu and specially Madurai has a special association with MGR. Madurai Veeran… who can forget this film. We all know who was among those who lent his voice to MGR- it was T. M. Soundararajan. In 1980 Congress dismissed MGR’s democratically elected Government. Elections were called and MGR won from the Madurai West seat. The people of Madurai stood behind him like a rock. In 1977, 1980 and 1984, MGR won from Southern Tamil Nadu.”

PM Modi highlighted the developmental schemes started by the centre, he said, “We started Jal Jeevan Mission. Our aim is to ensure tap water connections to every home in India by 2024. In Tamil Nadu, more than 16 lakh tap water connections have been provided since the launch. In this year's union budget, a series of economic corridors have been announced, and one of them is the Madurai-Kollam corridor. Funds allocated for railway infra projects in TN have increased by a record 238% compared to 2009.”

“Guided by the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, the NDA government is working to bring a positive change in the lives of 130 crore Indians. For Tamil Nadu and especially Southern Tamil Nadu, we want to focus on Infrastructure, Irrigation, Investment,” he added.

Hitting out at Congress-DMK alliance, PM Modi alleged, “DMK and Congress have no real agenda to talk about but they should control their lies because people are not foolish. Congress-DMK keep showing themselves as the only protectors of Tamil Culture, but the facts suggest something else.”

“In 2016 the Tamil Nadu Congress manifesto called for a ban on Jallikattu. Congress and DMK should be ashamed of themselves. In 2016-2017, the common people of Tamil Nadu wanted a solution and wanted Jallikattu to continue. I could sense their pain. Our Government then cleared an ordinance brought by the AIADMK Government in Tamil Nadu, which allowed Jallikattu to take place,” he said while addressing a rally in Madurai.

Attacking the opposition, The Prime Minister remarked, “Congress and DMK have mastered the art of not working & then spreading lies about those who actually work. A classic example is the issue of AIIMS Madurai. In their many many years in power, Congress and DMK did not even think about it. It was our Government that brought AIIMS here.”

Speaking about the Nari Shakti, the PM stated, “Madurai teaches us important lessons on empowering Nari Shakti. We see it in the way Meenakshi Amman is worshipped. We see it in the respect given to Kannagi Amman, Rani Mangammal, Rani Velu Nachiyar.”

In Kanyakumari, PM Modi talked about the Rameshwaram-Dhanushkodi railway line which was damaged in 1964. He said, “50 long years but no one thought about repairing the railway line of Rameshwaram-Dhanushkodi. It was our Government that started work on creating a new railway line. Same for the Pamban Rail Bridge. Previous Govts ignored it. We focussed on reconstructing it.”

Continuing his tirade against Congress, the PM alleged, “In Central Delhi, very valuable real estate has been given for memorials of one dynasty only. What did we do? We created a memorial for beloved Doctor Kalam in Tamil Nadu. I personally went for it’s inauguration.”

He insinuated that in Tamil Nadu, the situation is such that senior DMK leaders, who worked shoulder to shoulder with Kalaignar are feeling suffocated due to the newly minted Crown Prince of the party. He also slammed the opposition for Dynasty politics, said, “While our focus is development, the opposition has reduced itself to a dynasty club. All they want is to secure the position of their own children and grandchildren. They are not bothered about your sons and daughter.”

“Our Government does not see people’s caste, creed or faith before serving them. Ours is a Government for everyone. Father Alexis Prem Kumar belongs to Tamil Nadu. But, his desire to serve others took him to Afghanistan. For 18 long months, terrorists made him a hostage. His own family had given up on him. But, our Government did not. He came back safely home. In the same way, Father Tom returned safe and sound from Yemen,” PM Modi shared these rescue operations while speaking at the rally in Kanyakumari.

Talking about three pillars for coastal development, PM Modi asserted, “First is- Increasing Opportunities through port led development and modern infrastructure. Second- we are increasing Incomes through major push to blue economy. New fishing harbours, fish landing centres are coming up. Third pillar is - increasing Connectivity through better roads and inland waterways.”

Pm Modi thanked people of Tamil Nadu for attending the public meeting and urged voters to turn out in record numbers to vote for the NDA in upcoming elections.

 

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Cabinet approves two railway projects in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh worth Rs 24,815 crore
April 18, 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today has approved 02 (Two) projects of Ministry of Railways with total cost of Rs. 24,815 crore (approx.). These projects include:

Name of Project

Route Length (in km)

Track Length (in km)

Completion Cost (Rs. in Cr.)

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line

403

859

14,926

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line

 

198

 

458

 

9,889

Total

601

1,317

24,815

The increased line capacity will significantly enhance mobility, resulting in improved operational efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals are poised to streamline operations and alleviate congestion. The projects are in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji’s Vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.

The 02 (Two) projects covering 15 Districts across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 601 Kms.

The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), Naimisharanya (Sitapur), Annavaram, Antarvedi, Draksharamam, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for transportation of commodities such as coal, foodgrains, cement, POL, iron and steel, container, fertilizers, sugar, chemical salts, limestone, etc. The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country lowering CO2 emissions (180.31Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 7.33 Crore trees.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

  • Ghaziabad – Sitapur is an existing double line section forming a key part of Delhi- Guwahati High Density Network (HDN 4).
  • The project is crucial for improving connectivity between the Northern and Eastern region of the country.
  • The existing line capacity utilization of the section is up to 168% and is projected to be up to 207% in case the project is not taken up.
  • Transverses through Ghaziabad, Hapur, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Sahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Sitapur districts of Uttar Pradesh.
  • The project route passes through major industrial centres - Ghaziabad (machinery, electronics, pharmaceuticals), Moradabad (brassware and handicrafts), Bareilly (furniture, textiles, engineering), Shahjahanpur (carpets and cement-related industries), and Roza (thermal power plant).
  • For seamless transportation, the project alignment is planned to bypass congested stations of Hapur, Simbhaoli, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, and Sitapur and accordingly, six new stations are proposed on the bypassing sections.
  • Key tourist/religious places along/near to the project section are Dudheshwarnath Temple, Garhmukteshwar Ganga Ghat, Dargah Shah Wilayat Jama Masjid (Amroha), and Naimisharanya (Sitapur) among others.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 35.72 MTPA consisting of Coal, Foodgrains, Chemical Manures, Finished Steel, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.14,926 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 274 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 128.77 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 5.15 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 2,877.46 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

Ghaziabad – Sitapur 3rd and 4th Line (403 Km)

Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

  • Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) section forms part of the Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN).
  • The proposed project is part of quadrupling initiative of Howrah – Chennai High Density Network (HDN) route.
  • The project traverses through East Godavari, Konaseema, Kakinada, Anakapalle and Vishakapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
  • Visakhapatnam is identified as an Aspirational District in the Aspirational Districts Programme.
  • It provides connectivity to major ports along the East Coast such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Machilipatnam and Kakinada.
  • The project route runs along the eastern coastline and is among the busiest, predominantly freight-oriented sections of the East Coast Rail Corridor.
  • The line capacity utilization of the section has already reached up to 130%, leading to frequent congestion and operational delays. The line capacity is expected to increase further due to proposed expansion of ports and industries in the region.
  • Project section includes 4.3 km rail bridge over Godavari River, 2.67 km viaduct, 3 bypasses and the new alignment is around 8 km shorter than the existing route, improving connectivity and operational efficiency.
  • The proposed section will also boost tourism by improving access to key destinations such as Annavaram, Antarvedi and Draksharamam etc.
  • Anticipated additional freight traffic of 29.04 MTPA consisting of Coal, Cement, Chemical Manures, Iron and Steel, Foodgrains, Containers, Bauxite, Gypsum, Limestone, etc.
  • Estimated Cost: Rs.9,889 crore (approx.)
  • Employment generation: 135 lakh human-days.
  • CO2 emissions saved: About 51.49 crore Kg CO2 equivalent to 2.06 Cr trees.

  • Logistic cost saving: Rs. 1,150.56 crore every year vis-a vis road transportation.

 

आर्थिक सशक्तिकरण:

Aspirational districts - Visakhapatnam district will get improved connectivity

Additional economic opportunities in the region through tourism & industries.

Better healthcare and education for the citizens due to enhanced rail connectivity.


Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu) – Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th Line (198 Km)

Prime Minister’s focus on railways:

  • Record budget allocation of Rs. 2,65,000 crore for FY 26-27.
  • Manufacturing more than 1600 locomotives- surpassed US and Europe in manufacturing of locomotive production
  • In FY 26, Indian Railways is expected to rank among the top three freight carriers globally, moving 1.6 billion tonnes of cargo.

  • India starts exporting metro coaches to Australia and bogie to United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France and Australia.