From new metro links to river linking: CM Vijay lists his demands before PM Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay sought early approval for new Metro projects and the unconditional release of Rs 5,100 crore in pending education funds from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of a Chennai Metro stretch on Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of the 15-km Poonamallee Bypass-Vadapalani section of Chennai Metro's Phase II, Vijay outlined demands covering urban transport, education funds, and river linking.

He urged the Centre to expedite approval for Chennai Metro's Phase III to improve connectivity across the metropolitan area. He also sought Metro projects for Coimbatore and Madurai to serve western and southern Tamil Nadu, and an interstate link between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bommasandra in Karnataka.

Vijay thanked PM Modi for the Chennai-Bengaluru and Chennai-Hyderabad high-speed rail corridors announced in the 2026 Union Budget.

EDUCATION FUNDS, RIVER LINKING ON LIST

The Chief Minister requested the release of Rs 5,100 crore that he said remained pending under the Samagra Shiksha school education scheme, asking the Centre to disburse it without conditions.

The demand comes amid a dispute over the Centre linking the funding to Tamil Nadu signing an agreement to implement the PM-SHRI schools scheme, which follows the National Education Policy, 2020.

Tamil Nadu opposes the NEP's three-language formula and maintains its two-language policy. The state argues that withholding school education funds over its refusal to join a separate scheme undermines federalism.

Vijay also called for linking the Godavari and Cauvery rivers to ensure equitable water availability across states.

The request comes two months after he urged Modi to fast-track the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river-linking project and designate it a project of "national importance".

MODI, VIJAY TAKE METRO RIDE

Earlier in the day, PM Modi inaugurated the new Metro section, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore, and took a train ride with Vijay. Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar attended the inauguration.

The Prime Minister bought a ticket and briefly interacted with an employee at the counter before boarding the train.

Part of Corridor 4 of Chennai Metro's Phase II, the section is expected to improve connectivity between the western suburbs and the city and reduce commuting time.

Passenger services are scheduled to begin at 4 pm on Sunday and continue until 9 pm. From October 12, regular services will operate between 7 am and 9 pm, with the last trains departing both terminals at 9 pm.

The inauguration was part of PM Modi's Chennai visit to launch and lay foundation stones for projects worth more than Rs 13,000 crore.