Centre Again Derails Madurai, Coimbatore Metro Dreams Citing Population, Viability

In a fresh blow to Tamil Nadu's ambitious urban expansion plans, the Central government has once again rejected proposals for metro rail projects in Madurai and Coimbatore. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on July 22, 2026, cited insufficient population, low projected ridership, and negligible travel-time savings as key reasons for turning down the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the second time. This decision leaves the state government's efforts to extend modern metro connectivity beyond Chennai in limbo. The Centre's rejection largely hinges on the Metro Rail Policy, 2017, which suggests a minimum population of two million (20 lakh) for metro projects, while both Madurai and Coimbatore hover around 1.5 million (15 lakh) according to the 2011 Census, which the ministry insisted upon. Officials also questioned the unrealistic passenger demand forecasts in the submitted DPRs, arguing that a metro would not offer significant time savings to encourage a 'modal shift' from private vehicles. Instead, MoHUA has recommended boosting bus-based public transport, like Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), as a more cost-effective solution. This marks the second time these proposals have been sent back, with the first rejection occurring in November 2025. While the Tamil Nadu Government and Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) emphasize the cities' substantial 'floating population' and the need for high-capacity transit, they now face the challenge of reworking their strategy or exploring alternative urban transport solutions. The Centre's firm stance underscores a national focus on project viability and cost-effectiveness for future metro expansions, leaving Madurai and Coimbatore to re-evaluate their path to advanced public transport.