The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has formally rejected Tamil Nadu’s metro rail project proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, citing that both cities fall short of the 2 million population threshold set by the 2017 Metro Rail Policy. The ministry’s letter highlighted concerns that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by the state government overstate ridership demand and underestimate critical engineering and design constraints. The decision underscores the central government’s firm interpretation of metro eligibility norms amid increasing demands for urban transit upgrades in tier-II cities.

For Coimbatore, the ministry noted the proposed 34-km metro network expects daily ridership of 5.9 lakh passengers, exceeding even Chennai’s metro ridership on a longer network. However, average trip lengths in Coimbatore remain short, typically 6-8 km, reducing the metro’s time-saving advantage, especially when road traffic speeds are comparable. Technical difficulties were also flagged given the narrow roadways (7-12 meters wide) along much of the route, complicating the construction of elevated metro lines and large stations without expensive demolitions. Crucially, Coimbatore’s official population count of approximately 15.84 lakh (2011 Census) clearly misses the 2 million mark required for metro planning.

Similarly, the ministry reviewed Madurai’s proposal and concluded that the city’s travel demand aligns better with lower-cost, expandable transport alternatives such as enhanced bus rapid transit systems rather than a costly metro. Madurai’s current population is also well below the required threshold. The ministry criticized the DPR’s optimistic timelines and financial projections, finding them inconsistent with appraisal guidelines. As a result, both DPRs were returned to the Tamil Nadu government for reconsideration.

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The rejection sparked strong reactions from political leaders and civic groups in Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin condemned the Union government’s decision as “disgraceful” and symptomatic of political bias, pointing out that other smaller tier-II cities with lower populations, such as Gurugram, Bhubaneswar, and Agra, have secured metro approvals. Stalin declared the state’s determination to continue fighting to secure metro projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, emphasizing these cities’ growth potential and the need for sustainable urban transport infrastructure.

Civic bodies in Coimbatore likewise expressed deep disappointment after waiting over 15 years for metro proposals. Critics noted that reliance on outdated 2011 Census data overlooks more recent population growth and urban expansion in Tamil Nadu’s industrial and commercial hubs. The state government is expected to revise its proposals and submit additional data to make a stronger case for metro development, even as the centre stands firm on applying the 2017 policy uniformly.

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