Modi hails Tamil Nadu for its big gains

CHENNAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched several big projects in the Tamil Nadu capital on Sunday, and told ruling Anna DMK leaders to sink their differences as they face the state assembly election that is expected in April/may.

Among projects that Modi inaugurated at an event at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai are the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-i extension, a 9.01 km stretch from Washermanpet to Wimco Nagar in North Chennai. The Rs37 billion project reflects the capabilities of Indians, Modi said, stressing his ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-sufficient) message.

“The Chennai metro is growing rapidly... It will make everyone happy that we are launching 9-km-long stretch of metro rail, which has been completed on schedule despite Covid by Indian contractors,” he said.

Several new Southern Raliway lines were also opened by the prime minister. Villupuram, Tanjore railway line will facilitate the transport of food grains, he said.

Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras. The campus in a 200,000 square metre space will come up at the suburban Thaiyur and is budgeted at Rs10 billion in the first phase.

Modi dedicated a modern MK1A tank to the country. Manufactured in Avadi under the Mac in India project, Arjun Mark 1A, a totally indigenous modern tank, was dedicated to the nation.

State Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister K Palaniswami, Deputy Chief Minister and ADMK chief O. Panneerselvam were among those who atended the event.

Modi had a private chat with Palaniswamy and Pannerselevam, ADMK sources said, explaining he told them to stand united for the election and ensure a third straight term for their party.

The two leaders joined Modi to pay floral tributes to the portraits of late chief minister and ADMK founder M G Ramachandran and his successor J Jayalalithaa. Cheer for farmers Modi did not forget the farmers of Tamil Nadu, who came in for profuse praise. Saying that Tamil Nadu had “record food production,” he said: “I want to appreciate the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources. We have to do whatever we can do to conserve water. Always remember the mantra of ‘Per drop, more crop.” Beginning his speech with “Hello Chennai, Hello Tamil Nadu,” the Prime Minister said that he was very happy to be in Chennai. He thanked everyone for a warm welcome.

Modi pointed out that Tanjore and Pudukotai districts would benefit the most from the Kallanai canal renovation.

Touching upon a subject close to the heart of Tamil Nadu, he pointed out that his government has been assisting the Tamils in Sri Lanka.