Vijay urges PM Modi to approve Metro Rail for Hosur-Bommasandra sector

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a function at the IIT-Madras campus in Chennai on Sunday. | Photo credit: R. RAGU

Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve an inter-state metro rail link between Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bommasandra in Karnataka for the benefit of both states.

Mr. Vijay, who was present at the inauguration of passenger services on the Chennai Metro section from Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani, which includes 11 elevated stations, and the groundbreaking ceremony for new projects, urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the proposals for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai keeping in mind the future development and economic growth of southern Tamuterno. The event was held at the Kendriya Vidyalaya on the premises of IIT-Madras.

“I take this opportunity to request that phase III of the Chennai Metro Rail project, covering approximately 65 km from Airport to Kilambakkam, Poonamallee to Sunguvarchatram and Koyambedu to Pattabiram, be approved in time to improve connectivity, strengthen public transport and ensure comprehensive coverage of the Chennai metropolitan area,” said Mr. Vijay.

He said Tamil Nadu would create new opportunities and aim to become a $1.5 trillion economy by 2036 by introducing schemes in agriculture, information technology and industry.

“To take growth to the next level, we are emphasizing innovation, investment and infrastructure. At the same time, the benefits of development should extend beyond Chennai and reach every district,” he said.

High-speed rail services

Mr. Vijay thanked the Prime Minister for announcing two high-speed rail corridors connecting Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai in the Union Budget 2026, saying the projects would benefit the regions. “We have already requested the Government of India to approve high-speed rail corridors from Chennai to Kanniyakumari and Chennai to Coimbatore to better serve Tamil Nadu. This will also benefit the tourism sector,” he said.

The Chief Minister also urged the Center to give priority to several infrastructure projects, including widening of Chengalpattu-Tiruchi section on Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH32), Tiruchi-Panjapur-Jeeyapuram-Karur on NH81; and the elevated corridor from Madhavaram to Sholavaram on NH87.

“Timely approval and implementation of these projects will significantly boost the country’s economic development,” he said.

Connecting rivers

Reiterating that interlinking of rivers was essential to ensure water equity in all states, Mr. Vijay said the Godavari-Cauvery interlinking project should be given priority as it represents an important opportunity to expand water resources in the southern states.

Referring to the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly demanding the use of Tamil as the main language in the proceedings of the Madras High Court, Mr. Vijay said that a proposal for the President’s assent had been sent and should be considered.

Mr. Vijay added that ₹5,110 crore, representing the Centre’s share under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), was due to Tamil Nadu and urged the Center to release the amount without imposing any conditions.

Published – 11 October 2026 22:29 IST