The aspirations of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu’s second-largest city, for a modern mass rapid transit system have once again been stalled as the Union government has rejected the proposed metro rail project for the second time. The detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) for the Coimbatore Metro Rail project have been returned, citing inadequate population, low projected ridership, and limited travel-time savings as primary reasons for the rejection. This latest setback places the future of the ambitious public transport initiative in an uncertain trajectory.
Repeated Rejections Dampen Hopes for Enhanced Connectivity
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) communicated its decision through a letter dated July 22 to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, indicating that the DPRs failed to sufficiently justify the necessity for metro rail systems in both Coimbatore and Madurai. The ministry has instead advocated for strengthening existing bus-based public transport networks as a more cost-effective alternative. This marks the second instance of the project proposals being returned by the Centre, the first having occurred in November of the previous year.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the Centre’s assessment is based on the 2011 Census figures, which indicated a population of approximately 15 lakh for Coimbatore. This figure falls significantly below the two million benchmark stipulated under the Metro Rail Policy of 2017. The ministry also dismissed the state’s reliance on projected population estimates for 2022, emphasizing the adherence to the 2011 census data for evaluation purposes.
Project History Marked by Delays and Shifting Plans
The concept of a metro rail system for Coimbatore was first mooted 16 years ago, in 2010, when the Central government identified it as one of 16 tier-two cities eligible for such a project. However, the path to implementation has been fraught with delays and policy shifts. Following the announcement of a monorail project for Coimbatore by the then Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 2011, the metro proposal was shelved. Later, in 2013, a survey conducted by E. Sreedharan, often referred to as India’s ‘Metro Man’, suggested that Coimbatore was indeed suitable for a metro rail system.
The state government revived the metro proposal in 2017, with both the Centre and the State expressing readiness to introduce the project. CMRL was tasked with preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) the following year. Initial plans envisioned a 39 km metro rail project for Coimbatore city, with an estimated cost of ₹10,740 crore. This included elevated corridors along Avinashi Road up to Karumathampatti and from Ukkadam to Valiyampalayam Junction on Sathyamangalam Road. In 2021, the Tamil Nadu government announced an allocation of ₹6,683 crore towards implementing the metro rail in the city.
Revised Proposals and Persistent Concerns
In July 2023, CMRL submitted a revised DPR to the Tamil Nadu government, outlining a plan for an elevated metro rail project estimated at ₹9,000 crore. This proposal focused on routes along Sathyamangalam Road and Avinashi Road, spanning a total length of 39 km with 32 stations. The plan included a line from Ukkadam to Neelambur and another connecting to the airport on Avinashi Road, featuring 17 stations. On Sathyamangalam Road, a line was proposed from Coimbatore railway junction to Valiyampalayam, with 14 stations. The project’s estimated completion for Phase I was pegged at 2027, with a total cost of ₹9,424 crore. This DPR was subsequently approved by the Tamil Nadu government in February 2024.
However, a revised proposal submitted on May 22 of this year faced further scrutiny. The MoHUA, in its communication, noted that the difference in travel time between the proposed metro and existing road transport in the city area was estimated to be minimal, saving commuters only 2-3 minutes. The ministry also pointed out that the bus system in Coimbatore is not well-developed and that a metro system, without robust bus connectivity and last-mile access, would struggle to achieve adequate ridership. These concerns, coupled with the population criteria, have led to the repeated rejection of the project.
Future Uncertain, Bus Transport Recommended
The repeated rejection of the Coimbatore Metro Rail project represents a significant setback for the state’s ambitions to expand metro connectivity beyond Chennai. While the Tamil Nadu government has made substantial efforts, including budget allocations and detailed project planning, the Union government’s stance remains firm on the established policy guidelines. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has suggested focusing on enhancing the efficiency and reach of the bus transport system, a move that, while practical, may not fully address the long-term demand for mass rapid transit in a growing urban center like Coimbatore.
The Chenab Times News Desk