Make changes in MoU signed on Metro Rail projs: TN CM to Centre

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has requested the Centre to make certain changes in clause of the MoU signed between Tamil Nadu, Union government and Chennai Metro Rail Ltd on the Rs 14,600 crore project.

"Certain clause are against welfare of the state in the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the then DMK government, the Centre and Chennai Metro Rail Ltd in 2011." "I have requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make appropriate changes in the clause for the welfare of the state", she said formally laying foundation stone for the Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-I Extension from Washermenpet to Thirvottiyur here today.

The Chief Minister said she had explained about the MoU in detail during her meeting with Modi in New Delhi last month.

On the Rs 14,600 crore Chennai Metro Rail project first phase, she said, the then DMK government had spent only Rs 1,143 crore between 2006 and 2011.

"From June 2011, till June 2016, a sum of Rs 11,596 crore were spent on the project", she said, adding, her government was allocating funds for the project every year sufficiently.

Jayalalithaa said Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu had played a significant role in getting the approvals from the Centre for the Metro rail project.

"Venkaiah Naidu has been a good friend of Tamil Nadu. It is pertinent to say that he has played significant role in getting speedy approval from Centre for projects related to the state", she said.

On the status of the Metro Rail projects, she said "services on the route between Little Mount and Airport will begin next month, while extension from Alandur to St Thomas Mount in October, Koyambedu to Park are expected to begin by the end of this year".

"The work on the remaining areas will be completed before the end of 2017", she added.