Rameswaram: On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami and the foundation day of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the sacred town of Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several development projects worth ₹8,300 crore. Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi expressed his reverence for the Ramanathaswamy Temple and extended warm Ram Navami wishes from this spiritually significant site.
The Prime Minister flagged off a new train service and a ship, while inaugurating the much-awaited new Pamban Bridge—India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge. Describing it as a fusion of modern engineering and tradition, he noted the bridge would allow both faster train movement and passage for large ships, strengthening connectivity for Rameswaram and the region.
PM Modi praised the legacy of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, highlighting the synergy between science and spirituality in the late President’s life. He stressed the bridge’s role in enhancing the ease of doing business and travel, adding that the project, decades in demand, would positively impact lakhs of people through improved trade and tourism links between Rameswaram, Chennai, and beyond.
Emphasising the Centre’s focus on infrastructure, Modi said India’s economy had doubled in the last decade, driven by a six-fold increase in budget allocation for sectors like railways, roads, airports, and ports. He cited examples of iconic structures like the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, Atal Setu in Mumbai, Bogibeel Bridge in Assam, and now, the Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu.
The Prime Minister highlighted Tamil Nadu’s vital role in the journey toward a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), pointing out that Central Government funding to the state had tripled since 2014 compared to the previous INDI Alliance government. He stated that the railway budget for Tamil Nadu had risen from ₹900 crore to over ₹6,000 crore in this period, alongside the modernisation of 77 railway stations.
Since 2014, over 4,000 km of rural roads have been built in Tamil Nadu under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, and large-scale projects are strengthening connectivity with neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. PM Modi also emphasised the job creation impact of infrastructure development, especially in urban mobility systems like the Chennai Metro.
Focusing on social infrastructure, he stated that over 12 lakh pucca houses had been constructed in Tamil Nadu under the PM Awas Yojana, and 1.11 crore rural households now have access to tap water through the Jal Jeevan Mission. Under Ayushman Bharat, more than one crore treatments have been provided in the state, saving families ₹8,000 crore in medical expenses. Affordable medicines from over 1,400 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Tamil Nadu have further saved residents ₹700 crore.
Highlighting the need for accessible medical education, PM Modi urged the Tamil Nadu government to introduce courses in Tamil so that students from non-English backgrounds could become doctors. He noted the establishment of 11 new medical colleges in the state as part of this effort.
PM Modi also underscored the government’s focus on farmers and fishermen. Nearly ₹12,000 crore has been transferred to small farmers in Tamil Nadu under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, while claims worth ₹14,800 crore have been paid out under PM Fasal Bima Yojana. To support the state’s fishing community, hundreds of crores have been invested through the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana, funding seaweed parks, harbours, and modern facilities. The Centre has also ensured the safe return of over 3,700 Indian fishermen from Sri Lanka in the past decade, including 600 in the last year alone.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting Tamil culture and language globally, encouraging leaders to sign their names in Tamil as a mark of pride. Reflecting on a symbolic moment, he noted that just as a bridge was built in Rameswaram by a man from Gujarat a hundred years ago, today, another son of Gujarat had inaugurated the new bridge.
In conclusion, PM Modi expressed his pride in the work of BJP karyakartas (workers) across the country and reaffirmed the party’s dedication to building a strong, prosperous, and inclusive Bharat. He thanked the people of Tamil Nadu and extended his best wishes on Ram Navami and the inauguration of the new development initiatives.