Prime Minister Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay Unveil Major Transit Projects Worth Rs 13,000 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched developmental works worth more than Rs 13,000 crore in Tamil Nadu on Sunday, marking the first time he shared a public platform with Chief Minister Joseph Vijay. The rollout includes the inaugural operational stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project.

Project Launches

Modi and Vijay, accompanied by Governor Rajendra Arlekar, inaugurated the 14.64-km Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani segment by taking a train ride from Porur Bypass to Poonamallee. Modi noted that India's overall Metro network has expanded from about 250 km across five cities in 2014 to over 1,100 km across 25 cities today.

State Demands

During the event at IIT Madras, Chief Minister Vijay presented a list of requests to the Centre, including approval for Phase III of the Chennai Metro, extensions for high-speed rail corridors, and priority for the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking initiative. He also asked for the release of Rs 510 crore in pending central funds and requested that Tamil be designated as the primary language in Madras High Court proceedings.

Context

Major infrastructure funding often requires close cooperation between state administrations and the central government in India's federal structure. Such public events bring together leaders from different political backgrounds to advance regional transit and industrial growth.