Tamil Nadu CM asks Japan agency to speed up city infrastructure projects
Chennai: Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Friday urged the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) to ensure early approval of infra projects funded by the agency.
Panneerselvam, along with state senior ministers, interacted with the JICA delegation led by its President Shinichi Kitaoka and pressed for the early approval of major projects like the 400 MLD Desalination Plant in Chennai, Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase II and Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme Phase II.
A press release from the secretariat said the state also sought early approval for the Chennai Peripheral Ring Road Project with Intelligent Transport System, and the Chennai Urban Infrastructure Project.
Panneerselvam further pointed out that JICA’s involvement in Tamil Nadu has been very beneficial to the people of the state and the funding agency has been an active partner in implementing the Tamil Nadu Vision 2023 development plan, mooted by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
The Japanese side also highlighted that the Tamil Nadu Investment Promotion Programme (TNIPP) Phase I was a great success and JICA was ready to move to TNIPP Phase II within the current fiscal year, the release said. “It was also highlighted from the Japanese side that the implementation of ongoing projects is proceeding satisfactorily in the state”, the release said.
Panneerselvam and state ministers also thanked the foreign delegation for their condolences on the recent untimely demise of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
When Kitaoka emphasised that the late CM was a person of great charisma, Panneerselvam recalled that his party leader, Ms Jayalalithaa had inaugurated service from Airport to Little Mount on the JICA-assisted Chennai Metro Rail Project on September 21, 2016 in the same room in which this meeting was taking place and that was the last official function the late Chief Minister attended. The JICA delegation also expressed sympathy for the damage caused by the recent cyclone Vardah in the city and neighbouring districts.
