PM inaugurates 5 projects, lays foundations for 6 others involving Rs 31,400 cr investment

Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid foundation stones for five highway projects (total 408.77 km) and one railway project and inaugurated two railway projects (total 105 kms), ETBPNMT Pipeline a natural gas pipeline project, besides a housing project (1,152 houses under the Light House Project) involving a cumulative investment of Rs 31,400 crores. The natural gas pipeline project and the Chennai-Bengaluru Expressway would connect Tamil Nadu and Karnataka passing through Andhra Pradesh.
Mr. Modi in tweet said these projects cover key infra sectors such as railways, petroleum, housing and roads. Commerce and connectivity would be boosted by these works.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi, Union Ministers, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other dignitaries participated in the event.
Though the Chief Minister has called on the Prime Minister in New Delhi on a couple of occasions, this is Mr. Modi’s first official visit to Chennai after Stalin assumed office as Chief Minister riding on DMK’s impressive performance in the 2021 Assembly polls in May.
In all, the Prime Minister dedicated himself to the nation and laid the foundation stone for 11 projects worth over Rs 31,400 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium here, which will boost infrastructure development, enhance connectivity and give an impetus to ease of living in the region.
These projects will also help significantly improve socio-economic prosperity in the region, have a transformative impact on several sectors and also help create employment opportunities. The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation five projects worth over Rs 2,900 crore.
The 75 km long Madurai-Teni (Railway Gauge Conversion Project), built at a project cost of over Rs. 500 crores, will facilitate access and give a boost to tourism in the region. The 30 km long third railway line between Tambaram – Chengalpattu, built at a project
cost of over Rs. 590 crores, will facilitate the running of more Suburban services, thus offering greater options and enhancing comfort for the travelers. The 115 km long Ennore-Chengalpattu section and 271 km long Thiruvallur-Bengaluru section of ETBPNMT natural gas pipeline, built at a project cost of around Rs. 850 crore and Rs 910 crore respectively, will facilitate supply of natural gas to consumers as well industries in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
The program will also witness the inauguration of 1152 houses constructed as part of Light House Project – Chennai, built at a cost of Rs 116 crore under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of six projects, being built at a cost of over Rs. 28,500 crores. The 262 km long Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway will be constructed at a cost of over Rs. 14,870 crores. It will pass-through states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and help reduce travel time between Bengaluru and Chennai by 2-3 hours. The Four Lane double decker elevated expressway connecting Chennai Port to Maduravoyal (NH-4), of about 21 Km in length, will be constructed at a cost of over Rs 5,850 crore. It will facilitate round the clock approach of goods vehicles to the Chennai port.
The 94 km long 4-lane Neraluru to Dharmapuri section of NH-844 and 31 km long two lanes with paved shoulders of Meensurutti to Chidambaram section of NH-227, being built at a cost of around Rs 3,870 crore and Rs 720 crore respectively, will help provide seamless connectivity in the region. The foundation stones for redevelopment of five Railway stations: Chennai Egmore,
Rameswaram, Madurai, Katpadi and Kanniyakumari, were also laid during the event. This project will be completed at a cost of over Rs.1,800 crore, and is being undertaken with a view to enhance convenience and comfort of the passengers through provision
of modern amenities.
Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for a Multi Modal Logistic Park at Chennai worth over Rs. 1400 crore. It will provide seamless inter-modal freight movement and also offer multiple functionalities. (UNI)  (pics-credits – PTI)