Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting 50:50 equity sharing between the Central and State governments for the Phase II expansion of the Chennai Metro Rail project. Annamalai expressed concerns over the project’s stagnation due to funding issues and accused the ruling DMK of politicizing the issue.In his letter, Annamalai highlighted that the Chennai Metro Rail project, with a budget of Rs 63,246 crore, has been stalled because of the Tamil Nadu government’s financial challenges. He pointed out that the DMK-led government has struggled with fiscal deficits and is unable to secure further loans for the project. Annamalai criticized the DMK for using this opportunity to blame the Central government for the delay in funds, despite significant investments by the Centre in upgrading Tamil Nadu’s infrastructure over the past decade.
“The DMK government has been showcasing the delay as negligence by the Centre towards Tamil Nadu’s needs, even though the Central government has made enormous contributions to the state’s development,” Annamalai wrote.
He also emphasized the Modi-led NDA government’s commitment to Tamil Nadu through numerous schemes over the last 10 years and urged the Centre’s intervention to expedite the project. “On behalf of the people of Tamil Nadu, I urgently request the Central government to consider 50 percent equity infusion to complete the Chennai Metro Rail Phase II project as soon as possible,” Annamalai appealed.
Chief Minister MK Stalin had similarly requested Prime Minister Modi last Friday to approve the same 50:50 equity sharing model for Phase II, as was done for Phase I. Stalin attributed the project’s delays to the financial constraints faced by the Tamil Nadu government.
The Phase II project, once completed, is expected to significantly enhance Chennai’s public transportation network and reduce traffic congestion.