NEW DELHI, Nov 18: The Union government has rejected the Metro Rail project proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai, both in Tamil Nadu, arguing that the two cities lack the mandated 2-million population according to the 2011 census.
In a communication dated November 14, 2025, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said the population of Coimbatore city was 15.84 lakh and that of Madurai 15 lakh according to the 2011 census. The Metro Rail Policy, 2017, states that the population of a city should be 2 million or more to plan a Metro Rail project.
According to the comprehensive mobility plan that is approved by the State government, Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) is suitable for Madurai. “It may be noted that the Metro projects are cost-intensive and should be planned carefully for long-term sustainability. For these cities, other cost-effective urban transport systems — robust bus system and BRTS — may be better suited,” the communication said. “In view of the above, the DPRs of Coimbatore Metro Rail Project and Madurai Metro Rail Project are returned herewith,” it concluded.
A State government official said the proposals were returned with a suggestion to explore alternative modes of transport instead of Metro Rail. “Anyway, we will justify,” the official said. The Chennai Metro Rail Limited had submitted the detailed project report for Coimbatore in July, 2023.
Sathish, director of Kongu Global Forum, said 65 lakh people are said to use the Metro Rail every day in New Delhi, 10 lakh in Bengaluru, and 3 lakh in Chennai. The Union government identified Coimbatore as one of the cities suitable for Metro Rail in 2010. “Now, it has been rejected after 15 years. It is deeply disappointing and disheartening,” he said.
He added that a census was not conducted after 2011 and the voter population of Coimbatore district is 3 million. So, the actual population is expected to be at least 4 million.
The Metro Rail is operational in other tier-two cities, including Jaipur, Kochi, and Nagpur, which are similar to Coimbatore. “We will be pushed back by 10 years in public transport. The Prime Minister should reconsider the decision, and the Centre should give its approval,” he said.
Coimbatore MP Ganapathi P. Rajkumar of the DMK said the Central government had approved the Metro Rail project for Bhopal and Patna. But it rejected for the proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai on purpose. It amounted to a betrayal of the people of Coimbatore, he alleged. Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan of the BJP said the State government could represent to the Centre again, clarifying the population details.
(Manas Dasgupta)
