Modi, Vijay Push Tamil Nadu Development with Rs 13,000 Crore Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a one-day visit to Tamil Nadu on Sunday, inaugurating and laying foundation stones for projects valued at approximately Rs 13,000 crore. During his visit, PM Modi travelled on a Metro train with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, marking a visible show of warmth between the two leaders, his first visit since the April Assembly polls. Modi ensured joint inauguration of scheduled projects twice and was accompanied by the Chief Minister to a temple, with AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami also present at the airport reception.

Chief Minister Vijay, in his address, emphasized the necessity of Union and state government cooperation to directly benefit the people. He sought specific measures including making Tamil the principal language of the Madras High Court, the unconditional release of Rs 5,110 crore in outstanding central funds under the SSA scheme, and approvals for major transport projects. Vijay also requested early sanction for Phase 3 of the Chennai Metro project, covering about 65 km, and reconsideration of Metro proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, along with inter-state and high-speed rail corridors.

PM Modi praised Tamil language and culture, invoking the Thirukkural, and affirmed his commitment to working with CM Vijay for the state's development. He highlighted his faith in cooperative federalism, stating, "the development of the nation comes through the development of the states." Modi recalled working with various Tamil Nadu leaders, including M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami, and M K Stalin, reiterating his steadfast resolve for the state's progress regardless of government changes.

The Prime Minister's itinerary included the inauguration of the Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch of Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore. He also laid foundation stones for National Highway projects, Amrit railway stations, several port-related initiatives, and the Group IIIII Lube Oil Base Stocks project at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited's Manali refinery. Modi visited the IIT-Madras campus, its brain research centre, and a temple on campus, culminating a visit that underscored both infrastructure development and Centre-state collaboration.

What to watch: Continued progress on these announced projects and the Centre's response to Tamil Nadu's specific funding and language requests.

Editor's note: The draft is missing significant details such as the specific list of rail/transport proposals requested by Vijay and the context regarding the previous government's strained ties.