Madurai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for infrastructure projects worth over ₹4,400 crore in Madurai on March 1, aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving mobility and accelerating regional economic growth across Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister 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. The Marakkanam–Puducherry corridor is expected to cut travel time by nearly 50 per cent, easing congestion and improving connectivity to key destinations such as Mamallapuram, Kalpakkam and Auroville.

The Paramakudi–Ramanathapuram stretch will reduce travel time by around 40 per cent and provide improved access to major pilgrimage centres including Madurai, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi. The project will also strengthen multimodal connectivity linking railway stations, airports and ports in the region, in line with the PM Gati Shakti framework.

Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, the Prime Minister will inaugurate eight redeveloped railway stations in Tamil Nadu — Morappur, Bommidi, Srivilliputtur, Sholavandan, Manaparai, Pollachi Junction, Karaikkudi Junction and Thiruvarur Junction — upgraded with modern passenger amenities and Divyang-friendly infrastructure.

He will also dedicate to the nation the Chennai Beach–Chennai Egmore fourth railway line, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and easing suburban rail traffic in Chennai, benefiting lakhs of daily commuters.

To strengthen broadcasting infrastructure, three new Akashvani FM relay transmitters at Kumbakonam, Yercaud and Vellore will also be inaugurated, expanding regional FM coverage.

During the visit, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to perform darshan and pooja at the historic Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple in Tirupparankundram. DeshBharat