Chennai, Sept 5 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for the Rs 1750-crore modernisation and expansion of the Salem Steel Plant (SSP) at Salem in Tamil Nadu today.

The foundation ceremony will be held in the presence of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Minister for Steel Ram Vilas Paswan.

The plan envisages installation of steel making facilities, including a continuous slab caster and expansion of the plant''s cold rolling capacity. The project is expected to be completed in three years.

During his visit, Dr. Singh and Sonia will also attend the 150th year celebrations of the Madras University in Chennai where they would be conferred honorary doctorates, along with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

Later, the Prime Minister will also inaugurate the Apollo Reach hospital in the state.

Tight security arrangements have been made in view of visits of the PM and Sonia. (ANI)