Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects worth more than ₹13,000 crore across Tamil Nadu at an event held at IIT Madras in Chennai on October 11, 2026. The projects span road and rail transport, port infrastructure, petroleum and scientific research. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay was also present on the occasion. The projects include National Highway works worth around ₹3,700 crore, initiatives at Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port and V. O. Chidambaranar Port, and the development of railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the inauguration of projects worth ₹13,000 crore in Tamil Nadu as a historic occasion, saying the initiatives would improve connectivity, strengthen industry and trade, and create employment opportunities for the state’s youth. He said the projects would make daily travel easier and support the state’s economic growth.

Recalling his interactions with former Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and J. Jayalalithaa, Mr. Modi said he had also worked with former Chief Ministers O. Panneerselvam, Edappadi K. Palaniswami and M. K. Stalin during his tenure as Prime Minister. He said that despite changes in governments, his commitment to the development of Tamil Nadu and the welfare of its people had remained unchanged. He added that he would continue this journey in cooperation with Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.

Recalling his journey in public service, Mr. Modi said he had completed 25 years as head of government, having taken the oath as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2001 before becoming Prime Minister. He said India’s progress draws strength from its rich cultural heritage, scientific achievements and modern infrastructure. He cited Tamil Nadu’s temples, scientific institutions and Metro rail network as examples of how tradition and modern development can go hand in hand. The Prime Minister also extended Navaratri greetings to the people of the state.

Mr. Modi also dedicated the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras to the nation. The centre is part of a scientific initiative to map more than 100 human brains and create three-dimensional atlases at cellular resolution. The research will cover the human lifespan, from the foetal stage to old age.

The Prime Minister also released C-STROKE, an atlas of the human brain affected by ischaemic stroke. Featuring more than 1,000 annotated microscopic sections, the atlas is expected to help researchers worldwide identify new targets for treatment.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Modi inaugurated the Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, built at a cost of around ₹4,900 crore. The Prime Minister and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay jointly flagged off the new Metro services and travelled on the train.

The newly inaugurated stretch is part of Corridor Four of Phase II. It includes 11 elevated Metro stations spread across approximately 15 kilometres. The projects aim to strengthen transport connectivity, improve infrastructure and advance scientific research in Tamil Nadu.