The Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, on Thursday (25 February) inaugurated 1000 MW Neyveli New Thermal Power Project and 709 MW Solar Power Project of NLCIL in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The 709 MW solar power project is indigenously developed with an investment of over Rs 3,000 crore and 1,000 MW thermal power project is constructed at a cost of Rs 7,800 crore. Over 65 per cent of the power generated from the thermal plant will be allotted to Tamil Nadu.

PM Modi also inaugurated the 8-laning of Korampallam Bridge and Rail Over Bridge (ROB) at V.O.Chidambaranar Port and the tenements constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme.

Using the occasion, PM laid the foundation stone for various development projects including design, supply, installation and commissioning of a 5 MW grid connected ground based solar power plant at V.O.Chidambaranar Port and the extension, renovation and modernisation of Lower Bhavani Project System.

In a boost to smart city mission in the state, he laid the foundation stone for development of Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCC) in nine smart cities including Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Thanjavur, Vellore, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi.

Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi were present on the occasion.

Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said Coimbatore is a city of industry and innovation. He added that development works launched by him will benefit Coimbatore and entire Tamil Nadu.