In a significant move to strengthen Tamil Nadu’s tourism infrastructure and boost its appeal as a leading destination, the Honorable Chief Minister Mr. M.K. Stalin has inaugurated a series of key tourism development projects from the State Secretariat on August 01, 2025.
The initiatives, launched under the stewardship of the Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism, include comprehensive infrastructure and amenity upgrades at several popular tourist locations – Poondi Dam, Muthukuda, Yelagiri, and Gundar. Additionally, a state-of-the-art multipurpose hall at Hotel Tamil Nadu – Madurai Unit-II was also inaugurated, enhancing facilities for events, conferences, and group travelers.
These projects are part of the Government of Tamil Nadu’s larger vision to promote sustainable, inclusive, and experience-rich tourism. By improving tourist infrastructure and creating welcoming environments at both established and emerging destinations, the state aims to elevate visitor satisfaction, extend tourist stays, and generate employment opportunities at the local level.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Tamil Nadu as a model tourism state, blending its cultural heritage, natural beauty, and hospitality with world-class facilities.
Officials from the Department of Tourism noted that more such initiatives are in the pipeline as part of a long-term strategy to increase domestic and international tourist footfall, particularly through eco-tourism, heritage circuits, and infrastructure modernization.
These developments underscore Tamil Nadu’s growing role in India’s tourism economy and reflect its proactive approach to inclusive regional development through tourism.
Chief minister M K Stalin on Friday inaugurated tourism and museum development projects worth 43crore, flagged off a cultural immersion tour for Tamil diaspora youth, and laid the foundation for 13 new co-working-cum-study centres across the city.
The tourism work, totalling 18crore, aims to upgrade key destinations such as Gundaru dam in Tenkasi, Yelagiri in Tirupattur, Poondi reservoir in Tiruvallur, Muthukuda beach in Pudukkottai, and Hotel Tamil Nadu campus in Madurai with visitor centres, dining halls, walkways, and other amenities to boost employment and attract tourists. Stalin also opened a 6.8crore administrative block at the Egmore Govt Museum, designed in sync with its heritage architecture.
Under Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), four completed projects costing 18.4crore were inaugurated, including a redeveloped park in Perumbakkam and beautified flyover spaces at Villivakkam, Padi, and Vadapalani. He laid the foundation stone for 26 new CMDA projects worth 91.4crore, including 13 CM study centres (co-working hubs) for civil services aspirants, modern bus shelters, school upgrades, a crafts plaza at Koyambedu, and a heritage promenade from Marina Lighthouse to Island Grounds.
At another event, Stalin flagged off the fourth batch of the “Vaergalai Thedi” (In Search of Roots) scheme, sending 99 Tamil diaspora youth from 14 countries, including Fiji, Reunion, South Africa, and Canada, on a 15-day cultural tour of TN. Launched in 2023, the initiative reconnects overseas Tamils aged 18-30 with their heritage through visits to historical sites, interactions with scholars, and exposure to traditional arts and architecture. Participants are expected to serve as cultural ambassadors in their home countries
