Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 11 October 2026, inaugurated development projects worth ₹13,000 crore and laid the foundation stones for national highway projects in Tamil Nadu, invoking the vision of 'stronger states building a stronger nation.' The event, held in Chennai, underscored the Centre's push for cooperative federalism and was attended by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Key Projects and Sectors Covered

The inaugurated projects spanned highways, railways, and ports, aimed at bolstering Tamil Nadu's connectivity and economic infrastructure. In addition, Prime Minister Modi laid foundation stones for national highway projects valued at approximately ₹3,700 crore, further expanding the state's road network. He emphasised that development required broad infrastructure investment alongside better roads, expressing confidence the new projects would accelerate Tamil Nadu's progress.

What the Prime Minister Said

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the occasion as historic and said the projects would generate greater employment opportunities for the state's youth. He stressed that the Centre and the Tamil Nadu state government were working with a shared commitment to the state's development, noting that citizens had gained greater confidence in cooperative federalism.

Modi also highlighted the expansion of India's Metro network, pointing out that Metro services available in five cities in 2014 now operated in 25 cities, with the network growing from 250 km to 1,100 km. He called this a direct improvement in public transport access and daily mobility for millions.

Historical and Political Context

Reflecting on 25 years in public life, Prime Minister Modi recalled his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, during which he worked with former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa. After becoming Prime Minister, he noted, he had continued that engagement — working with Jayalalithaa, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and M.K. Stalin. He said the same commitment now guided his partnership with Chief Minister Vijay. Notably, this signals the Centre's intent to maintain development-oriented ties with Tamil Nadu regardless of the party in power at the state level.

Cultural and Religious Dimension

The programme opened with the national anthem, followed by Tamil Thai Vazhthu, the state anthem — a gesture seen as respectful acknowledgement of Tamil cultural identity. Prime Minister Modi also referred to his visit to the Jalakandeswarar temple, extending Navratri greetings and describing Tamil Nadu as a sacred land associated with Lord Shiva.

Manufacturing Push and Road Ahead

Calling for greater support for locally manufactured goods, the Prime Minister said the Union government was taking measures to encourage Tamil Nadu's manufacturing sector. Drawing on his experience as a former Chief Minister, he said he understood states' expectations and was committed to addressing them. A developed Tamil Nadu, he added, would contribute to the larger goal of building a developed India.