PM Modi Inaugurates New Terminal at Tuticorin Airport on 26 July 2025 to Boost Regional Connectivity.
National
On 26 July 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the state-of-the-art new terminal building at Tuticorin (Thoothukkudi) Airport in Tamil Nadu. This expansion is part of a broader ₹4,800–₹4,900 crore infrastructure push in southern Tamil Nadu aimed at elevating air, road, port, and rail connectivity.
- The new terminal, constructed at a cost of approximately ₹450 crore and spanning 17,340 sq m, is equipped with 21 check-in counters, 3 aerobridges, 7 baggage scanners, 4 entry gates, and seating for 644 passengers in the departure area. It can handle up to 1,350 passengers during peak hours and 20 lakh passengers annually, with scope to scale to 25 lakh passengers.
- The runway has been extended from 1,350 metres to 3,115 metres, and widened from 30 m to 45 m, enabling the handling of larger wide-bodied aircraft like Airbus A320/A321. Night landing capabilities are now fully supported, enhancing round‑the‑clock operational flexibility.
- Designed to achieve a GRIHA‑4 sustainability rating, the terminal boasts 100% LED lighting, energy-efficient electrical and mechanical systems, and an on‑site sewage treatment plant enabling treated water reuse. These elements position the facility as one of India's most eco-friendly airports.
Main Point :- (i) During the same event, PM Modi dedicated infrastructure projects worth over ₹2,350 crore for the 4‑laning of 50 km Sethiyathope–Cholapuram stretch (NH‑36) and ₹200 crore for the 6‑laning of 5.16 km NH‑138 Tuticorin Port Road. These highway upgrades are expected to significantly reduce travel time and boost logistics efficiency.
(ii) PM Modi also unveiled key rail and port projects, including electrifying the 90 km Madurai–Bodinayakkanur railway, doubling the Nagercoil–Kanniyakumari section, and launching the North Cargo Berth‑III at V.O. Chidambaranar Port (capacity: 6.96 MMTPA, ₹285 crore)
(iii) A ₹550 crore Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) for evacuation from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant was also dedicated. Collectively, these initiatives reflect a major thrust to enhance regional trade, tourism, and national connectivity.
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