Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Kerala and Tamil Nadu on March 11, 2026, to inaugurate, dedicate to the nation, and lay foundation stones for multiple infrastructure and development projects worth over ₹16,450 crore. The projects span sectors such as petroleum and natural gas infrastructure, highways, railway connectivity, rural roads, and renewable energy. The Prime Minister will first attend programmes in Ernakulam, Kerala, followed by a visit to Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.
Major Projects in Ernakulam, Kerala
In Ernakulam, the Prime Minister will launch development projects worth around ₹10,800 crore. A key initiative includes laying the foundation stone for a Polypropylene Unit at the Kochi Refinery of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, built with an investment of over ₹5,500 crore. The unit will have a production capacity of 400 kilo tonnes per annum and will strengthen domestic manufacturing of polymers used in packaging, textiles, medical devices, automotive components and household goods.
Highway and Rail Infrastructure Boost
Two major highway projects will also be inaugurated during the visit. The six-laning of the Thalapady–Chengala section of NH-66, developed at a cost of over ₹2,650 crore, forms part of the Mumbai–Kanyakumari Economic Corridor and will improve connectivity across northern Kerala and neighbouring Karnataka. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the six-laning of the Kozhikode Bypass from Vengalam to Ramanattukara, built at a cost of about ₹2,140 crore, which will significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion in the region.
In the railway sector, three redeveloped stations—Shoranur Junction, Kuttippuram and Changanassery—under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme will be inaugurated. The Shoranur–Nilambur railway line electrification project will also be dedicated to the nation, and a new train service between Palakkad and Pollachi will be flagged off to improve connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Development Projects in Tiruchirappalli
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will launch development projects worth around ₹5,650 crore in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. A major initiative includes laying the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s City Gas Distribution Network in The Nilgiris and Erode districts with an investment exceeding ₹3,680 crore. The project aims to provide piped natural gas connections to over 8.8 lakh households and establish more than 200 compressed natural gas stations.
Important Facts
- The Mumbai–Kanyakumari Economic Corridor is part of India’s major national highway connectivity programme.
- Polypropylene is a widely used polymer in packaging, textiles and automotive components.
- The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop railway stations across India with modern passenger amenities.
- City Gas Distribution networks supply piped natural gas (PNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for domestic and transport use.
Energy, Rural Connectivity and Railway Expansion
The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the Lube Blending Plant of Indian Oil Corporation at Manali in Chennai, developed with an investment of about ₹1,490 crore to strengthen domestic lubricant production. Additionally, several rural road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana will be inaugurated in both states to improve connectivity to markets, schools and healthcare facilities. Multiple train services, including Amrit Bharat Express trains, will also be flagged off to enhance rail connectivity between Tamil Nadu and other regions of India.