PM Modi launches projects worth over Rs 13,000 cr in Chennai, Vijay seeks Centre’s support for key state demands
PM Modi inaugurates massive infrastructure projects in Chennai worth over ₹13,000 crore as CM Vijay seeks central support for state demands.
In a massive boost to Tamil Nadu's infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects valued at over Rs 13,000 crore in Chennai. The high-profile visit, which touched upon transport, manufacturing, and port modernisation, aimed to accelerate the state's economic trajectory and create vast employment opportunities for the youth.
A Historic Day for Tamil Nadu's Infrastructure
Addressing a massive gathering, Prime Minister Modi described the day as a historic milestone for the state. He emphasized that the new projects are designed to ease daily commutes, strengthen industrial trade, and unlock the state's immense economic potential. The Prime Minister’s itinerary included a visit to the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras, prayers at the Jalakandeswarar Temple, and the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya.
One of the most significant highlights of the day was the inauguration of the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 4,900 crore, this corridor features a 3.7-km double-decker structure that is expected to drastically improve connectivity and reduce travel time for thousands of commuters across Chennai.
The Rapid Expansion of India's Metro Network
Reflecting on the evolution of urban transport, the Prime Minister highlighted the massive scale of metro expansion across India over the last decade. He noted that while metro services were limited to just five cities in 2014, they have now expanded to 25 cities.
- Growth in Network: India's metro network has surged from approximately 250 kilometres in 2014 to over 1,100 kilometres today.
- Holistic Approach: Modi stressed that modern cities require integrated infrastructure, combining roads, railways, and metro services to meet the needs of growing urban populations.
- Ease of Living: Efficient public transport was framed as a vital tool to improve the quality of life for residents in bustling metropolitan areas.
CM Vijay Outlines Key Demands for the State
Sharing the stage with the Prime Minister, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay expressed gratitude for the central government's contribution to the state's development. However, the Chief Minister also used the platform to present a comprehensive list of demands, urging the Union government to expedite several critical projects for Tamil Nadu.
Key Demands from the Chief Minister:
The Chief Minister's requests focused heavily on transport connectivity, financial support, and linguistic recognition:
- Metro Rail Expansion: Vijay called for the immediate approval of Chennai Metro Phase III and urged the Centre to reconsider metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai. He also sought support for an inter-state metro project linking Hosur in Tamil Nadu with Bommasandra in Karnataka.
- High-Speed Rail: The CM pressed for the development of high-speed rail corridors connecting Chennai to Coimbatore and Chennai to Kanyakumari.
- Infrastructure & Water: He sought faster progress on national highways, railway infrastructure, and the approval of the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project.
- Education & Language: The Chief Minister requested the release of pending funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme and called for steps to recognise Tamil as an official language for proceedings in the Madras High Court.
- Financial Support: Vijay also highlighted the need for an extension of GST compensation to ensure the state's fiscal stability.
As the Prime Minister called upon the younger generation to contribute to the vision of a "Viksit Bharat," the interaction between the Centre and the State highlighted both the rapid pace of development and the ongoing dialogue regarding regional priorities and funding.