Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister C Joseph Vijay take a metro ride from Porur Bypass station
Highlighting the expansion of metro rail in India, he said services were now operational in 25 cities, compared to five in 2014. Recalling his 25-year journey from chief minister of Gujarat to Prime Minister, Modi said he has consistently followed the principle of building the nation through the development of its states. Speaking at the event, Vijay said the TVK govt had set a target of making Tamil Nadu a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036.
Recalling his association with former Tamil Nadu chief ministers M Karunanidhi, J Jayalalithaa, O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin, Modi said though govts have changed, his commitment to the development of Tamil Nadu and serve its people remained steadfast. “With that same resolve, together with CM Joseph Vijay, we are taking Tamil Nadu’s journey of development forward,” he said. “Together, let us create a developed India through a developed Tamil Nadu. ” The Prime Minister said urban development was among the govt’s key priorities and described urbanisation as an opportunity rather than a challenge. He said the state govt was committed to establishing a corruption-free and transparent administration while promoting inclusive growth, including agricultural development and the welfare of fishermen. “Strong states make a strong India,” Vijay said, calling for greater coordination between Centre and state. He also urged the Prime Minister to reconsider metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, which he said would boost development in western and southern Tamil Nadu.
Vijay sought Centre’s approval for Phase III of the Chennai Metro project, covering 65km across three corridors: Airport–Kilambakkam, Poonamallee–Sunguvarchatram and Koyambedu–Pattabiram. Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Union minister L Murugan attended the event Chennai: Centre-state cordiality was on display on Sunday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a metro rail ride with chief minister C Joseph Vijay and, soon, told a gathering at IIT Madras that he would work with the CM to take the state forward.