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.Modi he inaugurated and laid foundation for infrastructure projects worth around ₹13,000 crore, covering Chennai Metro, roads, railways and ports on Sunday .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. Highlighting the expansion of metro rail in India, he said services were now operational in 25 cities, compared to five in 2014. The metro network, he added, had expanded from around 250km to more than 1,100km.Modi also referred to road, rail and port projects, including the proposed development of V O Chidambaranar Port in Tuticorin as a mega container and green energy hub at an estimated investment of around ₹17,000 crore.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. 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.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. 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.His other demands included approval for the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project, making Tamil the official language of Madras high court, high-speed rail corridors between Chennai and Coimbatore and Chennai and Kanyakumari, an elevated corridor between Madhavaram and Sholinganallur, and the release of ₹5,110 crore in pending dues under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.Earlier, Modi held a brief roadshow near Saidapet, offered prayers at Jalakandeswarar temple inside IIT Madras and extended Navratri greetings.The projects inaugurated and launched included highway works worth around ₹3,700 crore, the Karaikal-Peralam railway line, three rail flyovers in and around Coimbatore, and five redeveloped Amrit Bharat stations at Palani, Vellore Cantonment, Ambasamudram, Paramakudi and Namakkal.Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Union minister L Murugan attended the event
