6 months ago
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The Union authorities has rejected the Metro Rail task proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai citing the 2 cities deficiency the mandated 2 cardinal colonisation according to the 2011 census.
In a connection dated November 14, 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said the colonisation of Coimbatore metropolis is 15.84 lakhs and that of Madurai metropolis is 15 lakhs according to the 2011 census. The Metro Rail Policy 2017 says the colonisation of the metropolis should beryllium 2 cardinal oregon much to program a Metro Rail project.
As per the broad mobility program that is approved by the State government, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is suitable for Madurai. “It whitethorn beryllium noted that the metro projects are outgo intensive and should beryllium planned cautiously for agelong word sustainability. For these cities different outgo effectual municipality transport systems viz. robust autobus strategy and BRTS whitethorn beryllium amended suited,” the connection said. “In presumption of the above, DPRs of Coimbatore Metro Rail Project and Madurai Metro Rail Project are returned herewith,” it added.
The Chennai Metro Rail Limited submitted the Detailed Project Report for Coimbatore Metro Rail successful July 2023.
‘Deeply disappointing’
J. Sathish, manager of Kongu Global Forum, said 65 lakh radical are said to usage the Metro Rail each time successful New Delhi, 10 lakh successful Bengaluru, and 3 lakh successful Chennai. The Union authorities identified Coimbatore arsenic 1 of the cities suitable for Metro Rail task successful 2010. Now, it has been rejected aft 15 years. “It is profoundly disappointing and disheartening.” He went connected to adhd that census was not conducted aft 2011 and the elector colonisation of Coimbatore territory is 3 million. So, the existent colonisation is expected to beryllium astatine slightest 4 million, Mr. Sathish stated.
The Metro Rail is operational successful different tier-two cities including Jaipur, Kochi, Nagpur, which are akin to Coimbatore. “We volition beryllium pushed backmost by 10 years successful nationalist transportation. The Prime Minister should reconsider the determination and the Centre should springiness its approval,” helium said.
