Puducherry | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, dedicated to the nation, and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth over ₹2,700 crore in Puducherry, marking a significant push toward infrastructure modernization, healthcare expansion, sustainable mobility, and educational strengthening in the Union Territory.
The projects span critical sectors including urban infrastructure, higher education, public health systems, road connectivity, housing, water management, and green mobility initiatives. Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister reiterated his vision of “BEST Puducherry” — representing Business, Education, Spirituality, and Tourism — emphasizing that sustained governance efforts over the past four-and-a-half years have resulted in rising per capita income and improved social progress indicators.
Infrastructure and Urban Mobility Push
A major highlight of the announcement is the inclusion of Puducherry under the ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment’ scheme, enabling increased funding for capital-intensive projects such as roads, water supply systems, schools, and hospitals. Over ₹1,000 crore is being invested in decongesting Puducherry town, including a ₹440 crore flyover project aimed at easing urban traffic pressure.
Connectivity improvements along the East Coast Corridor and Grand Southern Trunk Road are expected to reduce travel time between Chennai and Puducherry to under two hours, strengthening regional economic integration with major hubs like Bengaluru and Coimbatore. The broader East Coast Corridor development, involving investments exceeding ₹30,000 crore up to Kanyakumari, is projected to significantly enhance tourism, trade, and logistics capacity.
Green Mobility and Urban Services
In alignment with national clean mobility goals, electric buses have been introduced under the PM e-Bus Sewa initiative, positioning Puducherry as a cleaner tourism-oriented urban centre. Water desalination plants, new sewage treatment plants, and flood mitigation works across Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe, and Yanam are also part of the infrastructure package, addressing climate resilience and urban service delivery challenges.
Education Infrastructure Strengthening
The Prime Minister inaugurated the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Engineering Block and modern hostel facilities at NIT Karaikal, alongside infrastructure upgrades at Pondicherry University, reinforcing technical education capacity in the region. These developments are expected to enhance institutional capabilities and support expanding student enrollment in engineering and research disciplines.
Healthcare Expansion and Medical Tourism Potential
Healthcare infrastructure received a substantial boost with the modernization of the Regional Cancer Centre at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER). Additionally, foundation stones were laid for three Critical Care Blocks under the PM-ABHIM initiative in Puducherry and Karaikal to strengthen emergency and tertiary care systems.
An Integrated AYUSH Hospital in Karaikal will further support Siddha and holistic healthcare traditions. Noting that Puducherry already hosts nine medical colleges, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the region can evolve into a major medical tourism hub.
Tourism and Cultural Identity
Recognizing tourism as one of Puducherry’s strongest economic pillars, the government is investing in spiritual, eco, and health tourism infrastructure. Pilgrimage facilities are being developed under the PRASHAD Scheme, while Auroville continues to advance as a global spiritual destination Prime Minister Shri Narendra Mo…. The Prime Minister also highlighted the region’s historic association with leaders like Sri Aurobindo and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reiterated the goal of building a developed Puducherry as part of the broader vision of a developed India by 2047.
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