The Union government has once again returned Tamil Nadu’s Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Metro rail projects proposed in Coimbatore and Madurai, officials said.
The Tamil Nadu government has been planning Metro expansion beyond Chennai. In Coimbatore, the proposal covered a 39-km elevated network, including a corridor along Avinashi Road up to Karumathampatti and another from Ukkadam towards the Sathyamangalam Road stretch up to the Valiyampalayam junction.
In Madurai, the DPR proposed a 31.93-km Metro line from Thirumangalam to Othakadai. The plan included about 27 km of elevated track with 23 stations, and a 4.65-km underground section with three stations.
The DPRs, prepared by Chennai Metro Rail Limited and submitted by the state, estimated project costs at Rs 11,360 crore for Madurai and Rs 10,740 crore for Coimbatore. The Centre had earlier returned the reports in November last year, citing a minimum population requirement of 20 lakh and noting that both cities have around 15 lakh residents.
After a request for reconsideration was sent to the Prime Minister and the DPRs were revised and resubmitted in May, the Union government has again rejected the proposals. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said the cities do not have sufficient population for a Metro and that a Metro may not significantly reduce travel time, suggesting strengthening a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) with dedicated bus lanes instead. Political parties in Tamil Nadu have criticised the second rejection.
