Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release Rs 5,100 crore in pending school education funds. The request coincided with the launch of over Rs 13,000 crore in infrastructure projects, including a new Chennai Metro section. The funding delay stems from ongoing disagreements between the state and central governments regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday to inaugurate development projects in the state, while simultaneously pushing for the release of critical education funds. During the visit, the leaders inaugurated the 15-kilometer Poonamallee Bypass–Vadapalani section of the Chennai Metro Phase II, a project completed with an investment of Rs 4,900 crore.
Education Funding and Policy Friction
The Chief Minister formally requested the immediate release of Rs 5,100 crore under the Samagra Shiksha school education scheme. This funding has remained stuck due to a policy disagreement. The central government has reportedly linked the release of these funds to the state’s implementation of the PM-SHRI schools program, which is aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. The Tamil Nadu government has resisted this, citing its long-standing language policy which differs from the central government's proposal. This ongoing friction remains a key monitorable regarding the state’s education infrastructure budget and central fund receipts.
Infrastructure Expansion Plans
Beyond education, CM Vijay presented a roadmap for urban infrastructure growth. He requested accelerated approvals for Chennai Metro Phase III and proposed new metro rail systems for Coimbatore and Madurai. The Chief Minister also sought central support for an interstate transport link connecting Hosur in Tamil Nadu with Bommasandra in Karnataka. These projects are intended to improve logistics and connectivity across the industrial region. Additionally, the Chief Minister urged the central government to categorize the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river-linking initiative as a project of national importance to help address long-term water scarcity.
The total value of development projects launched during the visit exceeds Rs 13,000 crore, spanning various sectors including highways, railways, and ports. For investors and stakeholders tracking the regional economy, the execution of these large-scale infrastructure projects will depend on continued coordination between state and central authorities. The next important steps to track will be the progress on project approvals for the new metro lines and any resolution regarding the pending education funds.