In Tamil Nadu, PM Modi says some ‘cry’ over funds despite increased allocation by Centre

Asserting that infrastructure growth in Tamil Nadu was the government’s priority, he said: “In the last decade, the central government has allocated three times more funding to Tamil Nadu compared to the period before 2014…The infrastructure of Tamil Nadu is a top priority for the government. In the past decade, the state’s rail budget has increased more than sevenfold. Despite this significant growth, some people continue to complain without justification.”

Modi also batted for more extensive use of Tamil and called upon the state government to impart medical education in the language. The PM said he gets letters from leaders of Tamil Nadu and “they do not sign in Tamil”. “At least put your signature in Tamil.”

VIDEO | Here’s what PM Modi (@narendramodi) said said after laying foundation stone of multiple development works in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu:

“I feel blessed that I could pray at the Ramanathswamy Temple today. On this special day, I got the opportunity to hand over development… pic.twitter.com/9wTo6lAK4o

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 6, 2025

‘Land of Kalam’

PM Modi hailed Tamil Nadu as the land of former President Dr Abdul Kalam, asserting how the late scientist’s life was emblematic of the harmony between science and spirituality. He said: “This is the land of Bharat Ratna Dr Kalam. His life showed us that science and spirituality complement each other.”

“Similarly, the new Pamban Bridge to Rameswaram brings technology and tradition together. A town that is thousands of years old is being connected by a 21st-century engineering wonder.” Describing it as India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge, he thanked the engineers and workers for their hard work.

PM Modi also flagged off a new train – Rameshwaram-Tambaram Express – that will run between Chennai and Rameshwaram daily using the new bridge. He further said that the new train service will improve connectivity between Rameshwaram, Chennai, and other parts of the country.

Infra push

The central government has increased the budget for infrastructure projects by nearly six times over the last ten years, Modi said. “In the past 10 years, India has doubled the size of its economy. A major reason for such rapid growth is also our splendid modern infrastructure. In the past 10 years, we have increased the budget for infrastructure like rail, road, airports, water, ports, electricity, gas pipelines, by nearly six times,” he said.