PUDUCHERRY: A media delegation from Kashmir, currently on a five-day exposure tour organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), met Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry K. Kailashnathan at Raj Nivas on Wednesday.
During the interaction, Kailashnathan shared his views on Puducherry’s development priorities and outlined plans to position the Union Territory as a medical tourism destination.
According to the Lt Governor, Puducherry, with a population of around 1.5 million, has seven medical colleges, including the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER).
He also briefed the delegation on ongoing infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Puducherry airport’s runway from 1,500 metres to 2,500 metres to accommodate larger commercial aircraft. The project is expected to improve air connectivity and support tourism growth.
The Lt Governor said railway and road expansion projects currently under implementation are expected to be completed by 2028.
During discussions on industrial development in Jammu and Kashmir, Kailashnathan suggested that measures such as investment incentives, improved infrastructure and competitive power tariffs could help attract industrial investment to the Union Territory.
The meeting formed part of an exposure tour organised by PIB Srinagar from September 13 to 19, during which journalists are visiting institutions, infrastructure projects and public welfare initiatives in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
Later in the day, the delegation visited the Auroville Foundation and interacted with residents and members of the international township.
The tour is aimed at providing journalists with first-hand exposure to development projects, governance initiatives and public welfare programmes, officials said.
