Latest news with #ThoothukudiAirport
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
PM Modi Inaugurates Projects Worth Rs 4,800 Crore In Tamil Nadu
Thoothukudi: Landing in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi on Saturday, returning from his overseas trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth Rs 4,800 crore - a high-profile visit seen as both development-focused and politically significant, just eight months ahead of the state's assembly polls. The projects include a new terminal at the Thoothukudi Airport with a capacity to handle two million passengers annually, along with key infrastructure works in highways, railways, and the VOC Port in Thoothukudi. In a region known for its historic maritime strength, PM Modi aimed to underscore how modern connectivity and energy infrastructure are at the heart of the Centre's vision for Tamil Nadu. "Infrastructure and energy have been our focus for Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years. Tamil Nadu's development is India's development," PM Modi said, asserting that the state has been a consistent priority for the Centre. PM Modi also sought to strike an emotional chord with Tamil voters by invoking revered regional icons and deities - Lord Murugan of Tiruchendur Temple, freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai, who challenged British shipping dominance, poet Subramania Bharathi, and Veerapandia Kattabomman, the warrior who resisted colonial rule from this region. He recounted gifting pearls from Tuticorin to Bill Gates last year - a symbolic nod to the region's famed pearl heritage and export potential. Pitching India's growing global economic footprint, the Prime Minister highlighted the recently finalised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, claiming it would expand opportunities for Indian manufacturing and start-ups. "Now 91% of goods from India can be sold at lower prices in the UK," he said, adding that MSMEs, youth, and entrepreneurs will benefit significantly. "Make in India is not just a slogan - during Operation Sindoor (in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack), you saw the strength of India-made weapons that gave sleepless nights to enemies," he said. Tacitly addressing criticism from the ruling DMK and opposition parties over alleged financial bias against Tamil Nadu, PM Modi claimed the Centre had allocated Rs 3 lakh crore to the state over the past decade - three times the amount received under the UPA government. "It should be seen how much Tamil Nadu contributed then vs now, then it would expose how less Tamil Nadu gets now", DMK Spokesperson Dharaneetharan had said. PM Modi's remarks come amid sharp criticism from the DMK over the Centre allegedly withholding Rs 2,152 crore due to Tamil Nadu's refusal to implement the three-language policy - a move the state sees as Hindi imposition. The BJP has denied these allegations. Chief Minister MK Stalin, currently hospitalised, had sent a memorandum to PM Modi through Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, flagging several unfulfilled Central projects and demands for greater financial support, details of which have not been divulged yet. PM Modi's visit also includes participation in a major cultural and religious event on Sunday - the 1,000th anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district. He will be joined by 25 Shaivite mutts in what is seen as a symbolic attempt to deepen the BJP's roots in Tamil Nadu's cultural matrix. Though mutts have limited political influence in Tamil Nadu compared to other southern states, BJP insiders say PM Modi is banking on a long-term revival of these institutions to create a cultural and religious connect - particularly with OBC and Brahmin communities historically patronised by the Chola rulers. The BJP, with negligible presence in the state, is trying to rebuild its base ahead of 2026. After breaking away from the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK has now rekindled ties.
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
New-look Thoothukudi Airport ready with extended runway to receive larger flights even after dusk
The new-look Thoothukudi Airport with extended runway, night landing facilities and aesthetically constructed sprawling new terminal building is ready for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26 evening, according to BJP State president Nainar Nagenthiran. When the port town found a place in India's air traffic map in 1992, Thoothukudi became the second town in Tamil Nadu after Chennai to have air, sea, road and rail connectivity. Pinning hopes on the heavier industries and the seaport of Thoothukudi, 'Vayudoot Airlines', a regional airline, commenced its service to Thoothukudi this year as its flight landed on April 13, 1992 on the 1,350-long airstrip capable of handling only smaller aircraft. However, poor patronage put an end to this service within next 14 months. After a gap of three years, Thoothukudi Airport became alive again as NEPC resumed air service from Chennai to Thoothukudi via Kochi that consumed four-and-a-half hours, and the tiring, long travel kept the fliers away from taking flights to Chennai. And, the service came to an end again within next six months. Following repeated appeals to the government from the business community and the industrialists of Thoothukudi, budget carrier Air Deccan started its service on April 1, 2006. After the passenger traffic grew feverishly, two private carriers are offering nine services to Chennai and Bengaluru every day, and all the flights are almost full on any given day, as 'Thoothukudi flight' is the first choice for even the middle class families and their children working in software companies. 'In May 2025 alone, Thoothukudi Airport has handled more than 20,000 passengers. On May 13 alone, more than 1,000 passengers were handled, which shows the phenomenal growth of this airport which once had to be closed down due to poor patronage in its early days,' an AAI official recalled. With the number of passengers swelling manifold, the Airports Authority of India has now expanded the runway from 1,350 meters to 3,115 meters by acquiring over 600 acres of land on the eastern and western sides of the airport. An additional 110 acres of land have been assigned for the Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard flights. Runway width has been increased from 30 meters to 45 meters for handling larger aircraft like A320. The new terminal building with 17,341 square meter area with four entry gates, 21 check-in counters, seven baggage scanner, three aerobridges, 644 seats, isolation areas, five aircraft parking bays, a fire station, extended airstrip and night landing facilities have been created on an outlay of ₹381 crore to handle wide-bodied aircraft. Hence, most of the Indian cities including capital New Delhi and financial capital Mumbai are to be connected by air in near future. After the expansion, the Thoothukudi airport can handle up five aircrafts simultaneously and up to 1,400 passengers per hour which stood at just 156 earlier. More than 400 vehicles can be parked. 'The Prime Minister's Aircraft will be the first wide-bodied flight to land in Thoothukudi airport on August 26 around 8 p.m. as he will be flown from The Maldives. After formally inaugurating the new-look airport, the Prime Minister will leave for Tiruchi around 9.30 p.m.,' AAI officials said. (OUR PHOTOGRAPHER WILL SEND A PIX FOR THIS STORY)
