Tight security for Modi’s visit to TN, To offer prayers at Thirupparamkundram temple tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch and lay the foundation stone for Railway and Road projects worth Rs 7,100 crore in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu on Saturday, besides visiting the Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple at Tirupparamkundram in Madurai.

The Prime Minister will arrive in Chennai tonight at around 9 PM and stay overnight at Raj Bhavan. On Sunday morning, he will leave for Puducherry, where at around 11:45 AM he will inaugurate, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs 2,700 crore. The initiatives span infrastructure, urban services, industrial development, education, healthcare and sustainable growth.

In Puducherry, Mr Modi will launch e-buses under the PM e-Bus Seva initiative, inaugurate the Integrated Command and Control Centre under the Smart City Mission, tenements for Economically Weaker Sections under the CITIIS initiative, and key sewerage and water supply projects.

He will also inaugurate the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Block and Ganga Hostel at NIT Karaikal, modernisation works at JIPMER’s Regional Cancer Centre, and new facilities at Pondicherry University.

The Prime Minister will dedicate the 750-acre Karasur-Sedarapet Industrial Estate, housing a Pharma Park, Textile Park, IT Park and advanced research and healthcare facilities. He will also lay the foundation stone for water supply projects, 41 rural roads under PMGSY, heritage town development, mangrove restoration under MISHTI, sanitation and power sector works under RDSS, and projects under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, recently extended to Puducherry.

From Puducherry, Modi will travel to Madurai, where at around 3 PM he will launch infrastructure projects worth over Rs 4,400 crore aimed at enhancing connectivity and regional economic development. He will lay the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Marakkanam–Puducherry section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram section of NH-87, projects expected to significantly reduce travel time and improve multi-modal connectivity.

He will also inaugurate eight redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme — Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikudi Junction and Tiruvarur Junction — upgraded with modern passenger amenities. The Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth rail line will be dedicated to the nation, boosting suburban rail operations. Additionally, three new Akashvani FM relay transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore will be inaugurated.

At around 4 PM, the Prime Minister will perform darshan and pooja at the Tirupparramkundram temple, one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga. The visit comes amid controversy over the lighting of Karthigai Deepam atop the hillock near the Sikkandar Dargah.

The Madras High Court had upheld an order permitting the lighting of the deepam at the stone pillar, dismissing the State’s law and order concerns. The Tamil Nadu government has since moved the Supreme Court challenging the Division Bench ruling.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Chennai, Puducherry and Madurai in view of the Prime Minister’s visit.