Coinciding with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Puducherry for laying the foundation stone for 74 projects – estimated to cost around ₹1,571 crore – and the inauguration of 19 completed works worth ₹1,142 crores, the Union government has approved the inclusion of the Union Territory (UT) under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme. This allows the territorial administration to draw from Central assistance for asset-creation works. Originally limited to States, the inclusion of the UT in the scheme, based on a request made by the Puducherry government, will entitle the administration to avail of funds for the improvement of infrastructure and public utility works. Under SASCI, the Prime Minister, during his visit on March 1, will lay the foundation for 37 projects worth ₹315.25 crore. The projects include urban roads, drainage networks, student hostels, and sports facilities.The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation for various Centrally Sponsored/Central Sector schemes worth ₹253.84 crore. Key projects include the construction of 41 rural roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, development of a heritage town in Puducherry under the Challenge Based Destination Development Scheme, and mangrove restoration under the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Income Scheme, an official release said. Mr. Modi will lay the foundation for ₹646.84 crore worth of projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector of the Ministry of Power. First SEZ in UTDuring the visit, the Prime Minister will announce the long-pending development of the 750-acre land at Sedarapet-Karasur villages in Puducherry into a Special Economic Zone, the first of its kind in the UT. The project has been pending for more than a decade.After the development of the 750-acre area, the release said the industrial zone will house a pharma park, textile park, IT park, research centre of IIT Madras, and state-of-the-art healthcare facilities of JIPMER. “It is expected that the Government of India will declare the industrial estate, which will help to provide gainful employment to more than 40,000 youth. All the projects have been planned and approved with the aim to enhance power reliability, urban services, environmental sustainability, infrastructure expansion, and accelerated economic development of the UT,” the release said. The Prime Minister will inaugurate projects including RCC at JIPMER, Composite Engineering Block of NIT Karaikal, new buildings of Pondicherry University, tenements under Smart City, sewerage, and water supply schemes. Around 19 completed works executed at a cost of ₹1,142 crore would be dedicated by the Prime Minister, the release said. Global Spiritual MahotsavMr. Modi will also inaugurate the Global Spirituality Mahotsav 2026 to be held at Auroville as part of the 150th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo. The Mahotsav will bring together 100 distinguished speakers and 400 participants from India and abroad, the release added.Traffic curbsTraffic restrictions have been imposed, particularly in the Lawspet area, to facilitate the smooth conduct of the Prime Minister’s event at the Lawspet Helipad Ground on Sunday.The Lawspet area has been declared a restricted zone for security reasons. Unauthorised vehicles will not be permitted to enter the area, and no vehicle other than those authorised will be allowed to park on the roads surrounding Lawspet from 6 a.m to 3 p.m., a police release said.Movement and parking of all heavy vehicles, light vehicles, and buses are prohibited on Airport Road and on ECR, from Rajiv Gandhi junction to Indira Gandhi Square. Passengers travelling to the airport should park their vehicles at the Tagore Arts College Ground and use shuttle buses arranged by the government to reach the airport. Arrangements have been made at the Fire Service Community Hall Centre, Mothilal Nehru, Polytechnic College,Vallalar School, Tagore Arts College, Vivekanandha School, as well as at the place identified for the New Bus Stand on ECR, the release said.