Pudukottai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated 44 completed development projects worth about Rs 68.31 crore and laid the foundation stones for 70 new projects valued at Rs 11.72 crore in Pudukkottai. During his first official visit to the district since taking office in May, Vijay also distributed welfare assistance worth Rs 62.73 crore to 13,676 beneficiaries.
Among the projects inaugurated was a new bus terminal built at a cost of Rs 23.25 crore, featuring 60 bus bays, commercial complexes, waiting rooms, and designated facilities for nursing mothers and people with disabilities. The chief minister additionally opened a multipurpose indoor sports stadium constructed at a cost of Rs 6.29 crore, which will serve to train local athletes in disciplines such as badminton, volleyball, kabaddi, and table tennis.
Earlier in the itinerary, Vijay inspected local agricultural produce and briefly spoke with farmers regarding their needs. Discussions centered on the demand for Cauvery river water for irrigation, as several areas were facing water shortages. He was also briefed on how the cashew industry in Adanakottai serves as a major source of livelihood for approximately five lakh families in the region.
Vijay arrived in Tiruchirappalli on a special flight from Chennai before traveling roughly 55 kilometers by road to Pudukkottai. He held a roadshow where crowds lined both sides of the route to greet him. Supporters and members of the public gathered at locations including Viralimalai and Mathur, cheering and raising slogans as his convoy passed. Police reported that hundreds had assembled from early morning, and personnel on duty assisted a young girl who fainted in the crowd, carrying her to safety for revival.