Media Delegation from Kashmir Calls on the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry

Puducherry, September 16, 2026: A media delegation from Kashmir on a five day exposure tour to Chennai organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), today called on the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Shri Kuniyil Kailashnathan, at Lok Niwas, Puducherry.

During an hour-long interaction, Sh. Kailashnathan reflected on his long administrative career and also shared his vision and roadmap for the development of Puducherry. The LG said that he envisions transforming the Union Territory into a major medical tourism hub. As informed, Puducherry with a population of only fifteen lakhs currently has seven medical colleges including the prestigious Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) an institution of national importance.

The delegation was informed that work is ongoing to expand the runway of the airport to 2500 meters from the present 1500 meters to support larger commercial aircrafts which will boost direct air connectivity and is expected to increase the tourist inflow. In addition to this, works for railway and roadways expansion are also expected to be completed by 2028.

While discussing the industrial developmental scenario in Kashmir, the LG opined that the government of Jammu and Kashmir needs to offer various sops to attract industrial investment ranging from tax holidays to cheap power in addition to further improvements in the transportation infrastructure which has to a larger extent improved with the railway connectivity with the rest of the country.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the visiting journalists to gain insights into the administration and development initiatives in Puducherry.

The delegation is on a press tour to Chennai from September 13 to 19, organised by PIB Srinagar. As part of the tour, the delegation is visiting various institutions and projects in Chennai to meet the senior officials and beneficiaries.

Later in the day, the delegation also visited Auroville Foundation – an experimental spiritual township and interacted with the residents and the members.

The delegation is visiting different institutions and infrastructure projects in Chennai to witness first hand the developmental journey for Viksit Bharat 2047 and also document the impact of various public welfare schemes at the grassroots level. (PIB)