PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said he has taken development as his‘mantra,’ and reaffirmed his commitment to serve the people of Tamil Nadu and ensuring the State’s progress by working with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. He listed the rapid strides made in various sectors in the last 12 years, including the significant jump in defence exports. In his address after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for railway, road and petroleum-related projects worth about Rs 13,000 crore with Vijay,the PM underscored his commitment to ensure development. Earlier, at the inauguration of the Chennai Metro Phase-2 network from Poonamallee-Vadapalani stretch, the Prime Minister held Vijay’s hand and jointly flagged off the service, marking a milestone event carrying immense political and administrative significance for the Centre-State ties. The Chennai Metro Phase 2 network has been executed as a joint venture between the Central and Tamil Nadu State Governments.

 

Later, at the launch of infrastructure projects too, the PM held CM Vijay’s hand to jointly inaugurate the initiatives. During his subsequent address, Prime Minister Modi said, “I have always taken the country’s development as my mantra”. “As Chief Minister, I understood the expectations of a State. After becoming PM, not only did I try to fulfil the aspirations but also made efforts so that the States meet their aspiration goals,” he said. Referring to Tamil Nadu, he said when he was CM, he got the opportunity to interact with late leaders M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa when they headed Tamil Nadu. And, after becoming Prime Minister, he could work with former CMs O Panneerselvam, Edappadi K Palaniswami and M K Stalin. ENSURE EARLY APPROVAL FOR METRO RAIL PHASE-3, TN CM URGES PM MODI: TAMIL Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure early approval for Phase-3 of the Chennai Metro Rail, extending connectivity to areas like Airport-Kilambakkam and Poonamallee-Sunguvarchatram.