Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay used a public event in Chennai to ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accelerate six infrastructure and funding decisions for the state. His requests covered urban transport, inter-state connectivity, water resources, high-speed rail and education funding.
The appeal came during the inauguration of a new Chennai Metro route. Modi inaugurated the 14.6-kilometre section between Poonamallee and Vadapalani under the second phase of the Chennai Metro project. The Prime Minister and Vijay also travelled on the metro during the programme.
The Union government also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several development projects valued at more than ₹13,000 crore, according to the report.
Vijay's six requests
Vijay first sought early approval for the third phase of the Chennai Metro. The proposed phase includes stretches from the airport to Kilambakkam, Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram, and Koyambedu to Pattabiram. Together, these routes cover approximately 65 kilometres.
The Chief Minister said the expansion would improve connectivity, strengthen public transport and broaden metro coverage across the Chennai Metropolitan Area.
He also asked the Prime Minister to reconsider metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai. The request was linked to the future development and economic progress of Tamil Nadu's western and southern regions.
Another demand concerned an inter-state metro connection between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bommasandra in Karnataka. Vijay sought approval for the line, saying it would benefit both states.
Water sharing formed the fourth part of the appeal. Vijay called for rivers to be linked to support a more equal distribution of water between states. He asked the Union government to give priority to the Godavari-Kaveri link project and advance it as a national project.
The fifth request was for high-speed rail corridors connecting Chennai with Kanniyakumari and Chennai with Coimbatore. Vijay said these links would improve services in Tamil Nadu and benefit the tourism sector.
His final request involved funds under the SSA scheme. Vijay said Tamil Nadu was still awaiting ₹5,110 crore from the central government and asked Modi to release the amount without conditions.
Modi's response
After the inauguration and foundation-stone events, Modi said that governments had changed but his commitment to Tamil Nadu's development had not.
The immediate requests now place six separate issues before the Union government: approval of Chennai Metro's third phase, reconsideration of two city metro proposals, an inter-state metro route, national priority for the Godavari-Kaveri link, high-speed rail corridors and the release of pending SSA funds.
Conclusion
The Chennai event combined the opening of a 14.6-kilometre metro section with six requests from Vijay covering transport, water resources and pending funds. The requests now await decisions from the Union government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did Vijay ask about Chennai Metro?
He sought early approval for the third phase of the Chennai Metro, covering approximately 65 kilometres across three proposed stretches.
Q. Which cities did Vijay mention for new metro projects?
He asked the Prime Minister to reconsider metro rail proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai.
Q. What inter-state metro line was requested?
Vijay sought approval for a metro connection between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bommasandra in Karnataka.
Q. What did he request regarding water resources?
He asked the Union government to prioritise the Godavari-Kaveri link project and advance it as a national project.
Q. How much funding did Vijay say Tamil Nadu was awaiting under SSA?
He said the state was awaiting ₹5,110 crore and requested its release without conditions.
