PM flags off 4 Amrit Bharat trains

Madurai, Mar 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched, dedicated and laid the foundation stone for key Rail and Road infrastructure projects worth over Rs 4,440 crore in Tamil Nadu, aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving mobility and accelerating regional economic growth. The projects pertain to the Ministries of Railways, Highways and Prasar Bharati.

After arriving in Madurai from Puducherry, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the four-laning of the Marakkanam–Puducherry section of NH-332A and the Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram section of NH-87. The Marakkanam–Puducherry project is expected to reduce travel time by nearly 50 per cent—from about one hour to 30 minutes—while easing congestion in Puducherry. It will provide seamless connectivity to key destinations including the UNESCO heritage site of Mamallapuram, Kalpakkam Atomic Power Station, Auroville, Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, besides strengthening intra-district links and boosting tourism and economic activity. The project is also expected to reduce fuel consumption, pollution and vehicle operating costs.

The Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram four-laning will cut travel time by around 40 per cent—from one hour to approximately 35 minutes—and improve access to major religious destinations such as Madurai, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. It will strengthen multi-modal connectivity by linking railway stations at Madurai and Rameswaram, airports at Madurai and INS Parundu, and ports at Pamban and Rameswaram. Aligned with the PM Gati Shakti initiative, the corridor will integrate key economic nodes including fishing clusters, a Special Economic Zone, a Mega Food Park and a textile cluster, catalysing trade and socio-economic development in the region.

Modi also inaugurated and dedicated several railway infrastructure projects to enhance passenger convenience and operational efficiency. He dedicated eight redeveloped railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme—Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikudi Junction and Tiruvarur Junction—featuring modern passenger amenities, improved accessibility, upgraded platforms, lifts, escalators and Divyangjan-friendly facilities while reflecting local architectural elements.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the 4.3-km Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth rail line, built at a cost of Rs 378 crore, which will significantly enhance operational efficiency in the Chennai suburban EMU network. The project is expected to decongest one of the city’s busiest corridors and benefit lakhs of daily commuters. He also flagged off four new Amrit Bharat train services, further strengthening rail connectivity in the State.