Pondicherry Revs Up for Major Infra, Economic Expansion
The government said social welfare remains a key priority. T
Puducherry:Puducherry is set for a major infrastructure and economic expansion, with the government focusing on improved connectivity, industrial development, healthcare, water security and welfare measures, Lieutenant-Governor K. Kailashnathan said while addressing the Legislative Assembly.
The government said the Union Territory’s overall receipts rose 8.51 per cent to Rs 13,397.69 crore in 2025-26, while its own receipts increased 11.44 per cent to Rs 7,631.53 crore. Capital expenditure also rose sharply by 71.09 per cent to Rs 765.59 crore. The economy recorded 8.12 per cent growth in 2025-26, higher than the national GDP growth rate.
Among the major proposed projects is the expansion and modernisation of Puducherry airport at an estimated investment of Rs 4,800 crore. The runway is proposed to be extended from 1,500 metres to 2,300 metres, enabling operations of larger aircraft such as A320 and A321 and improving connectivity with major destinations.
The government also highlighted an IT/ITES Special Economic Zone at Thattanchavady, with an estimated investment of Rs 725 crore and potential to generate nearly 30,000 direct and indirect jobs over the next decade. A first Multi-Modal SEZ at Karasur, spread over 213.12 acres with an estimated investment of Rs 2,500 crore, is expected to generate around 40,000 employment opportunities.
Urban infrastructure will receive a further boost through the Rs 4,750-crore Puducherry Integrated Urban Livability Improvement Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank, covering water supply, sanitation, drainage, roads and connectivity. A Rs 1,433-crore World Bank-assisted coastal resilience project will focus on shoreline protection, ecosystem restoration, fisheries and tourism.
The government said social welfare remains a key priority. The monthly pension under the Old Age Persons and Destitutes Pension Scheme has been increased by Rs 500 across categories, while assistance for women heads of BPL families has been raised from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500, benefiting around 63,000 women.
In education, free laptops were distributed to 15,783 higher secondary students, while 89,128 students benefited from free textbooks, notebooks and uniforms. In healthcare, critical-care blocks and upgraded diagnostic facilities are being developed, alongside expanded health coverage and higher honorarium for ASHA workers.
The government said the overall focus would remain on infrastructure, employment, women and youth empowerment, environmental protection and citizen-centric governance, with the objective of building a developed Puducherry by 2047.
