Development My Mantra, Says PM; Vijay Asks for Metro Rail Phase-3 Nod
In his address after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for railway, road and petroleum-related projects worth about Rs 13,000 crore with Vijay, the PM underscored his commitment to ensure development
Chennai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he has taken development as his 'mantra,' and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and ensuring the state's progress by working with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He listed out the rapid strides made in various sectors in the last 12 years, including the significant jump in defence exports.
In his address after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for railway, road and petroleum-related projects worth about Rs 13,000 crore with Vijay, the PM underscored his commitment to ensure development.
"I have always taken country's development as my mantra," he said.
"As chief minister, I understood the expectations of a state. After becoming PM, not only did I try to fulfil the aspirations but also made efforts so that the states meet their aspiration goals," he said.
Referring to Tamil Nadu, he said when he was CM, he got the opportunity to interact with late leaders M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa when they headed Tamil Nadu. And, after becoming prime minister, he could work with former CMs O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin.
"Governments may change, but my resolve for Tamil Nadu' development, serving its people remains steadfast. With this determination to serve people, together with CM Vijay, we are taking forward the development of the state," he said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure early approval for Phase-3 of the Chennai Metro Rail, extending connectivity to areas like Airport-Kilambakkam and Poonamallee-Sunguvarchatram. Additionally, he proposed an interstate line connecting Hosur to Bommasandra in Karnataka and also underscored the need to reconsider the Coimbatore and Madurai metro rail projects.
Speaking at the inauguration of various projects here, the chief minister thanked the prime minister for inaugurating the Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-2 - covering the stretch from Poonamallee to Vadapalani - and laying the foundation stone for other state infrastructure projects.
Vijay acknowledged the announcement of high-speed rail corridors in the 2026 union budget and requested new corridors from Chennai to Kanyakumari and Chennai to Coimbatore.
He also outlined several priority road projects, including the six-laning of key national highway sections.
Regarding water resources, Vijay emphasised the importance of the Godavari-Cauvery river interlinking project as a national priority, stressing that interlinking rivers is essential to bring water equity among states.
Further, he called for steps to make Tamil the principal language of the Madras High Court for proceedings and requested the release of outstanding central funds amounting to Rs 5,110 crore under the SSA scheme without stipulating any conditions.
TVK founder Vijay had ushered in his maiden government by winning the April Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu.
Referring to his completion of 25 years as PM and CM, Modi said "as head of government, my trust in people, cooperative federalism has grown strong."
