Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sanction the inter-State Metro Rail link between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bommasandra in Karnataka for the benefit of both States.
Participating in the inauguration of passenger services on the Chennai Metro Rail stretch from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani, covering 11 elevated stations, and the foundation-laying ceremony for new projects, Mr. Vijay urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposals for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai in view of the future development and economic growth of western and southern Tamil Nadu. The event was held at the Kendriya Vidyalaya on the IIT-Madras premises.
“I take this opportunity to request that Phase III of the Chennai Metro Rail project, covering approximately 65 km from the Airport to Kilambakkam, Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram, and Koyambedu to Pattabiram, be approved early to improve connectivity, strengthen public transport, and ensure comprehensive coverage of the Chennai Metropolitan Area,” Mr. Vijay said.
He said Tamil Nadu would create new opportunities and aim to become a $1.5-trillion economy by 2036 by implementing schemes in agriculture, information technology, and industry.
“To take growth to the next level, we are giving importance to innovation, investment, and infrastructure. At the same time, the benefits of development should go beyond Chennai and reach every district,” he said.
High-speed rail services
Mr. Vijay thanked the Prime Minister for announcing two high-speed rail corridors connecting Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai in the Union Budget 2026, saying the projects would benefit these regions. “We have already made a request to the Government of India for sanctioning high-speed rail corridors from Chennai to Kanniyakumari and Chennai to Coimbatore to better serve Tamil Nadu. This will also benefit the tourism sector,” he said.
The Chief Minister also urged the Centre to accord priority to several infrastructure projects, including the widening of the Chengalpattu-Tiruchi section of Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH32), Tiruchi-Panjapur-Jeeyapuram-Karur section of NH81; and an elevated corridor from Madhavaram to Sholavaram on NH87.
“Timely approval and implementation of these projects will greatly support the economic development of the nation,” he said.
Interlinking of rivers
Reiterating that the interlinking of rivers was essential to ensure water equity across the States, Mr. Vijay said the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project should be accorded priority as it presented an important opportunity to augment water resources in the southern States.
Recalling a resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly seeking the use of Tamil as the principal language in the proceedings of the Madras High Court, Mr. Vijay said a proposal seeking the President’s consent had been sent and should be considered.
Mr. Vijay added that ₹5,110 crore, representing the Centre’s share under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), was due to Tamil Nadu and urged the Centre to release the amount without imposing any conditions.
