Chennai: India has been witnessing a revolution in terms of infrastructure development, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He launched and laid the foundation stone for nearly ₹ 5,000 crore worth new projects in Tamil Nadu in the transport sector.

He flagged- off of the Chennai-Coimbatore Vande Bharat Express and inauguration of a New Integrated Terminal Building (Phase-1) of the Chennai International Airport. PM Modi in his speech on the occasion underscored Centre’s push for the state’s growth, recalling in detail the various initiatives. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin pressed for allocation of more projects and funds to his State from the Union Government.

It is driven by speed and scale and pointed to Union Budget’s allocation of a record ₹ 10 lakh crore investment in infrastructure. This is five times more than that of 2014, he said. India as a nation will prosper only when funds flow from the Centre for the development of States, said MK Stalin. He requested the Prime Minister to increase the fund allocation for railway projects.

He urged PM Modi for major projects such as the Chennai – Maduravoyal expressway, Chennai Tambaram elevated corridor, four-laning of East Coast Road, widening of Chennai – Kanchipuram – Vellore highways and Chennai-Madurai national highway to six lanes should be expedited. I take this opportunity to request our Prime Minister to direct the NHAI for speeding up of the ongoing road projects..

Prosperous and strong States are the true indicators of co-operative federalism and vibrant India. The Dravidian model of governance is striving on this principle to implement the structural programmes required for the development of the entire Tamil Nadu, he said. Tamil Nadu’s development is a great priority for the Centre, the PM said and added the State has been allocated an all time high budget of ₹ 6,000 crore this year for rail infrastructure, he added.

At MGR Chennai Central Railway Station, Modi flagged off the inaugural special of the Vande Bharat express, loaded with modern features and passenger amenities. He also interacted with school students in the train.