Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of several developmental projects worth over 8000 crore rupees at Chennai in Tamil Nadu today. The Prime Minister also handed over the indigenously designed and manufactured Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister asserted, these projects are symbols of Innovation and Indigenous development. He stated that the projects will further the growth of Tamil Nadu.

Mr Modi said, Thanjavur and Pudukkottai will be specially benefited as the foundation for the extension, renovation and modernization of six hundred and thirty six kilometres long Grand Anicut Canal System was laid today. It will improve irrigation facilities for 2.27 lakh acres of land in the delta districts. Modernization of this canal is to be taken up at a cost of 2,640 crore rupees. The Prime Minister lauded the farmers of Tamil Nadu for record food grain production and good use of water resources. He said that “the Grand Anicut is a living testimony to our glorious past. It is also an inspiration for the Nation’s “Aatmnirbhar Bharat” goals. Quoting Tamil poet Avvaiyar, the Prime Minister stressed the need to conserve water as it is not just national issue but a global subject. He emphasized the need to remember the mantra of Per Drop More Crop.

The Prime Minister paid homage to the Pulwama attack martyrs on the anniversary of the attack today. He said, their bravery will continue to inspire generations. The Prime Minister said India has undertaken a massive effort to become self-reliant in the defence sector. Mr Modi said that One of the two defence corridors is in Tamil Nadu. The corridor has already received investment commitments over Eight thousand one hundred crore rupees.

The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation, state-of-the-art Main Battle Tank Arjun Mark 1A which has been indigenously designed and manufactured by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment of Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Mr Modi said, a tank made in Tamil Nadu will be used in our northern borders to keep the nation safe. This showcases India’s unity- Bharat’s Ekta Darshan”.

The Prime Minister said, Indian armed forces have shown time and again that they are fully capable of protecting our motherland. He said, time and again they have also shown India believes in peace but it will protect its sovereignty at all costs.
 
The Prime Minister said that the focus on making India Aatmanirbhar in the defence sector will keep moving with full speed.

Among the projects, the Prime Minister inaugurated the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, completed at a cost of 3770 crore rupees, and flagged off the passenger services from Washermenpet to Wimco Nagar. This 9.05 km long extension will link North Chennai with the Airport and Central Railway Station.

The Prime Minister informed that the project has been completed on schedule despite the pandemic. He said, the project is in line with the boost to Aatmnirbhar Bharat as the rolling stock has been procured locally and civil construction activities were done by Indian Contractors. Mr Modi mentioned that in this year’s budget, over Sixty Three thousand crore rupees have been set aside for a hundred and nineteen kilometres of Phase two of the project. This is one of the largest projects sanctioned for any city in one-go. The Prime Minister pointed out that the focus on urban transport will boost ‘Ease of Living’ for citizens in the State.

The 22-kilometer long fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Laid at a cost of 293.40 crore rupees, this is an additional track to Thiruvallur districts meant to ease out traffic from Chennai Port.

The Prime Minister said, improved connectivity brings convenience. It also helps commerce. He said there is a need to ensure faster freight movement between Chennai Port and Kamarajar Port and expressed the confidence that the fourth line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu will help in this respect.

Mr Modi also inaugurated the Railway Electrification of single line section in Villupuram – Cuddalore – Mayiladuthurai – Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur. Completed at a cost of 423 crore rupees, the electrification of this 228 km route will enable free flow of traffic without the need for a change of traction between Chennai Egmore and Kanyakumari. He said, the project will be a great boon to the delta districts.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras. The Campus is to be built at Thaiyur near Chennai at an estimated cost of 1000 crore rupees in the first phase, over an area of 2-lakh square metre. The Prime Minister expressed  hope that Campus will draw the best talent from all over India

The Prime Minister said  that the Central Government has accepted their long-standing demand of the Devendra Kula Vellalar Community to be known by their heritage name and not the six to seven names listed in the Schedule to the Constitution.
Mr Modi said that India will continue its fight against Covid and make the world a better place to live in.

Mr.Modi asserted that the Government will protect the rightful interests of the Indian Fishermen. He told that no fishermen was in the Sri Lankan prisons as of now. He said, 1600 fishermen and 313 boats in Sri Lankan custody were released due to the efforts of the Central Government.

Among the projects inaugurated by the Prime Minister in Tamil Nadu today include, the Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I extension, fourth Railway line between Chennai Beach and Attipattu, Railway Electrification of single line section in Villupuram – Cuddalore – Mayiladuthurai – Thanjavur and Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Discovery Campus of IIT Madras.