Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2-day visit to South India: Unveiling Developmental Projects in Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Kerala

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and Kerala, where he will take part in various programs and inaugurate significant developmental projects. In a X (formerly called Twitter) post on 1st January 2024, PM Modi highlighted his agenda for the trip, emphasizing the inauguration of projects totaling Rs. 1,150 crore in Lakshadweep, encompassing sectors like internet connectivity, clean water supply, solar energy, and healthcare.

Tamil Nadu Agenda

Prime Minister Modi will kick off his tour in Tamil Nadu today. The itinerary includes the 38th convocation ceremony of Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli, where the Prime Minister will confer awards upon students and address the academic community. Following this, he will inaugurate the state-of-the-art terminal building at Tiruchirappalli International Airport, a project costing over ₹11,00 crore. This two-level terminal is designed to serve over 44 lakh passengers annually, handling about 3,500 passengers during peak hours.

In the railway sector, several projects are set for dedication, including the doubling of key rail sections and electrification initiatives. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate five vital road sector projects, aiming to enhance connectivity and infrastructure in the region.

Furthermore, the visit will witness the inauguration of the General Cargo Berth-II at Kamarajar Port and the foundation stone laying for significant Petroleum and Natural Gas projects, amounting to more than ₹9,000 crore. Other highlights include inaugurating a solar power plant, a boys’ hostel at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), and the Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research.

Lakshadweep Agenda

During his visit to Lakshadweep, Prime Minister Modi will lay the foundation stone for developmental projects exceeding ₹1,150 crore. Key initiatives include resolving internet speed challenges with the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fiber Connection (KLI – SOFC) project. The inauguration of the Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) plant at Kadmat, with a capacity to produce 1.5 lakh liters of clean drinking water daily, is another significant step towards addressing essential needs.

Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) in all households of Agatti and Minicoy islands. The visit will also mark the unveiling of the first-ever battery-backed solar power project in Lakshadweep at Kavaratti. The foundation stone for the renovation of the Primary Health Care facility in Kalpeni and the construction of model Anganwadi Centres (Nand Ghars) in various islands will be laid, symbolizing a comprehensive approach to healthcare and community development.

Kerala Agenda

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a massive gathering of 2 lakh women in Thrissur, Kerala, officially launching the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) poll campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The event, titled ‘Sthree Shakthi Modikk Oppam’ (Empower Women with Modi), will take place at Thekkinkadu ground and is organized by the Kerala unit of the BJP to commend Modi for the successful passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.

Women from diverse backgrounds, including anganwadi teachers, ASHA workers, entrepreneurs, artists, MGNREGA and neighborhood network workers, and social and cultural activists, are expected to participate in this significant event.

While presented as a mass gathering of women, this program is widely seen as the official launch of the BJP’s election campaign in Kerala, a state currently dominated by the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF. The BJP’s state leadership has indicated that more national leaders will visit the state and engage with the people in the coming months leading up to the Lok Sabha polls.

Way Forward

The Prime Minister’s visit aims to reinforce the commitment to regional development and the well-being of the people in these diverse regions. The projects to be inaugurated and initiated span across critical sectors, including transportation, healthcare, education, and renewable energy. As India progresses on its developmental trajectory, these initiatives underscore the government’s dedication to inclusive growth and holistic progress across states and union territories.