PM Modi Launches ₹13,000 Crore Infrastructure Projects in Chennai

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched infrastructure and development initiatives valued at over ₹13,000 crore in Chennai, addressing a gathering alongside Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at the IIT Madras campus. The portfolio of projects spans urban transit, national highways, port modernisations, railways, and petroleum sectors designed to improve regional mobility and industrial efficiency across the state.

The centerpiece of the visit was the formal inauguration of the Poonamallee–Vadapalani corridor under Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project. Constructed at an estimated cost of ₹4,900 crore, the newly opened 15-kilometre section features 11 elevated stations and incorporates a 3.7-kilometre double-decker engineering structure. Following the launch, the Prime Minister and Chief Minister undertook a train journey from the Porur Bypass station to the Poonamallee Bypass station and back to review the passenger facilities firsthand.

Officials stated that the corridor is equipped with modern signaling architecture intended to facilitate driverless operations in subsequent stages, though services currently run with onboard operating staff. The transit link aims to bridge Chennai's western residential settlements with established commercial hubs, easing severe vehicular bottlenecks along arterial corridors.

In addition to urban rail expansion, the administration unveiled national highway upgrades worth approximately ₹3,700 crore. These road initiatives include the four-lane Vadugapatti–Therkuvenganallur section and the Madurai Ring Road segment along National Highway 744, aimed at trimming freight transit durations and improving access to key commercial and pilgrimage centres in southern Tamil Nadu.

The broader financial package also covers railway investments totaling ₹750 crore, featuring the commissioning of the Karaikal–Peralam new line and new rail flyovers in Coimbatore, alongside the introduction of five modernised Amrit stations at Palani, Vellore Cantonment, Ambasamudram, Paramakkudi, and Namakkal. Harbour infrastructure received fresh momentum with works laid out across Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port.

Addressing the public function, the Prime Minister emphasized that public investments will continue to focus on expanding industrial capacity and generating employment for youth in the region. State leaders reiterated their commitment to sustaining cooperative administrative coordination between the Centre and Tamil Nadu to accelerate pending public works.