Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Promises On-Time Completion Of Chennai Metro Phase II

The Tamil Nadu government is committed to finishing Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail project on time, according to Chief Minister M. K. Stalin. After a review meeting with Union Minister for Urban Development Manohar Lal Khattar at the Chennai Metro Rail Corporation headquarters, Stalin expressed confidence in adhering to the project timeline.

Phase I of the Chennai Metro, completed at a cost of Rs 22,150 crore, covers 54.1 kilometres and serves around 3.5 lakh passengers daily. This phase has significantly benefited Chennai's residents. The Chief Minister acknowledged former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's role in launching Phase I in February 2007 through a joint effort between the Central and state governments.

Funding and Progress

Stalin thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration for approving the Rs 63,246 crore Phase II project, which will extend over 118.9 kilometres. He stated that his government and officials are working diligently to complete it within the set timeframe. So far, Rs 19,229 crore has been spent on this phase.

On September 27, 2024, Stalin met with Prime Minister Modi to request an expedited release of pending funds for Phase II. During this meeting, he emphasised that funding delays had impeded progress on the project. Following this discussion, the Union Cabinet approved the Rs 63,246 crore budget for Phase II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project.

Political Context

The approval came after a recent exchange between Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding funding for this phase of the project. The discussions highlighted financial challenges impacting its timely completion.

The swift progress of Phase II is crucial for enhancing urban mobility in Chennai. The ongoing efforts by both state and central governments aim to ensure that this significant infrastructure project meets its deadlines and serves the city's growing transportation needs effectively.