Memorandum to PM Modi: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin presses for funds under Samagra Shiksha, railway projects, metro rail for Coimbatore, Madurai

Funds under Samagra Shiksha, various rail projects, approval for metro projects for Coimbatore and Madurai cities, safety of fishermen from Sri Lankan authorities and land for defence corridor were among the top demands raised by the Tamil Nadu Government in its memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu is expected to hand over the representation from the Tamil Nadu Government to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is on an official visit to Tamil Nadu and is in Tiruchi and Ariyalur districts on Sunday (July 27, 2025). Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who has been admitted to a private hospital in Chennai since last week, had on Saturday (July 26, 2025) finalised the demands that are to be presented to PM Modi.

In the representation, Mr. Stalin has requested for releasing ₹2,151.59 crore to be released by the Union Government under the Samagra Shiksha for 2024-25 at once and to further release the first tranche for 2025-26. “The Chief Minister has requested for releasing funds without insisting on the State to sign in the Memorandum of Understanding over PM SHRI,” an official release from the Tamil Nadu Government said.

Mr. Stalin has requested for railway projects that have not been implemented in the State, including Tindivanam-Gingee-Tiruvannamalai, Erode-Palani, Madurai-Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai, Athipattu-Puthur, Chennai-Cuddalore via Mamallapuram, among others. He also sought to speed up the doubling of lines in Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari and a new line in Tirupathur-Krishnagiri-Hosur.

While in hospital, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin discusses official matters with Chief Secretary

The CM also sought for DPRs for Coimbatore-Palladam-Karur, Coimbatore-Gobichettipalayam-Bhavani-Salem, Madurai-Melur-Thuvarankurichi-Viralimalai-Inamkulathur and for a mofussil rail service around Madurai city. He also requested sanctioning more EMU coaches to cater to the requirements of sub-urban services during peak hours in Chennai and for a fourth line between Tambaram and Chengalpattu.

Mr. Stalin urged for speedy implementation of Avadi-Sriperumbudur and further for swift clearances needed and for prompt sanctioning of funds for various rail projects in the State. Referring to the DPRs for metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, Mr. Stalin requested PM Modi for approvals and to sanction necessary funds for these projects.

According to the DPRs, the Coimbatore metro rail project with 34.8 km, needed funds to the tune of ₹10,740.49 crore and the Madurai metro rail project with 32 km needed funds to the tune of ₹11,368.35 crore. Citing the policy for metro rail projects formulated in 2017, Mr. Stalin sought the PM for necessary approval and necessary funds so that these projects could be implemented with 50:50 participation from the Union- and Tamil Nadu Governments.

Reiterating the Tamil Nadu Government’s request for finding a permanent solution to issues between the fishermen from the State and the Sri Lankan authorities, Mr. Stalin reiterated to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen in Lankan custody and to ensure the release of their boats. “Despite the steps being undertaken by the Indian diplomatic mission, the arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan government is continuing,” he underlined.

About 3,973.08 acre of land was provided by the Tamil Nadu Government for the Salem Steel Plant during the 1970s and 1,503.44 acre of land was still unutilised for the project. Mr. Stalin requested the Prime Minister to return the unutilised land so it could be used for the Tamil Nadu defence industrial corridor.