Tamil Nadu CM Vijay urges PM Modi to expedite approval for Metro Rail Phase-3
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Sunday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite approvals for Phase-3 of the Chennai Metro Rail network, aimed at expanding transit coverage along key routes including Airport–Kilambakkam and Poonamallee–Sunguvarchatram.
In his address, Chief Minister Vijay also put forward a proposal for an interstate metro link connecting Hosur with Bommasandra in Karnataka, while requesting a re-evaluation of the proposed metro rail networks for Coimbatore and Madurai.
Speaking at a public event inaugurating several major projects, Vijay expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for opening the Poonamallee–Vadapalani stretch under Chennai Metro Rail Phase-2 and laying the groundwork for multiple state infrastructure initiatives.
Touching upon rail connectivity, the Chief Minister welcomed the high-speed rail corridors announced in the 2026 Union Budget, urging the central government to introduce dedicated high-speed rail routes connecting Chennai to Kanyakumari and Chennai to Coimbatore. He further highlighted key road development priorities, emphasising the urgent need to expand critical national highway corridors to six lanes.
On water management, Vijay advocated for the Godavari–Cauvery river interlinking initiative, describing it as a essential national project necessary to ensure equitable water distribution across state borders.
Additionally, the Chief Minister made two key policy appeals to the Union Government:
Judicial Language: Designating Tamil as the official working language for proceedings in the Madras High Court.
Education Funds: Releasing ₹5,110 crore in pending central funds allocated under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme without restrictive conditionalities. (PTI)