Last Updated on October 11, 2026 9:21 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / CHENNAI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects worth more than 13,000 crore rupees across Tamil Nadu at an event held at IIT-Madras.
The projects span road and rail transport, port infrastructure, petroleum and scientific research. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was also present on the occasion. The projects include National Highway works worth around 3,700 crore rupees, initiatives at Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and V. O. Chidambaranar Port, and the development of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration of projects worth 13-thousand crore rupees in Tamil Nadu as a historic occasion, saying the initiatives will improve connectivity, strengthen industry and trade, and create employment opportunities for the state’s youth. Mr. Modi said the projects will make daily travel easier and support the state’s economic growth.
Recalling his interactions with former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, Mr. Modi said he had also worked with former Chief Ministers O. Panneerselvam, Edappadi K. Palaniswami and M. K. Stalin during his tenure as Prime Minister. He said that despite changes in governments, his commitment to the development of Tamil Nadu and the welfare of its people had remained unchanged. He added that he would continue this journey in cooperation with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Recalling his journey in public service, Mr. Modi said he had completed 25 years as head of government, having taken the oath as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001 before becoming Prime Minister. Mr. Modi said India’s progress draws strength from its rich cultural heritage, scientific achievements and modern infrastructure. He cited Tamil Nadu’s temples, scientific institutions and Metro rail network as examples of how tradition and modern development can go hand in hand. The Prime Minister also extended Navaratri greetings to the people of the state.
Mr. Modi also dedicated to the nation the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras. The centre is part of a pioneering scientific initiative to map more than 100 human brains and create three-dimensional atlases at cellular resolution. The research will cover the entire human lifespan, from the foetal stage to old age.
The Prime Minister also released C-STROKE, a unique atlas of the human brain affected by ischaemic stroke. Featuring more than 1,000 annotated microscopic sections, the atlas is expected to help researchers worldwide identify new targets for treatment.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi inaugurated the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Phase Two of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, built at a cost of around 4,900 crore rupees. The Prime Minister and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay jointly flagged off the new Metro services and travelled on the train.
The newly inaugurated stretch is part of Corridor Four of Phase Two. It includes 11 elevated Metro stations spread across approximately 15 kilometres. The projects are aimed at strengthening transport connectivity, improving infrastructure and advancing scientific research in Tamil Nadu.