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The Madurai Metro, with an estimated cost of Rs 11,368 crore, will connect Tirumangalam and Othakkadai.
The Coimbatore Metro project, estimated to cost Rs 10,740 crore, will run along Avinashi and Sathyamangalam Roads. (Photo: Metro Rail News)
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has placed Coimbatore and Madurai at the top of its priority list for metro rail development, while the projects for Salem and Tiruchy are on hold for now.
According to DT Next, a senior official confirmed that CMRL has already submitted detailed project reports (DPR) for Coimbatore and Madurai to the Union government.
The Tamil Nadu government has forwarded these DPRs for approval to the Union government. CMRL plans to present the project details to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs. Once the proposal is reviewed, it will be sent to the Public Investment Board (PIB) for technical clearance, before reaching the Union Cabinet for final approval.
The proposed Coimbatore Metro will cover a 39 km stretch, with two lines and 32 stations, at an estimated cost of Rs 10,740 crore. Key stations along the route include Ukkadam Bus Stand, Coimbatore Junction, Gandhipuram Bus Stand, and Coimbatore Airport.
The Madurai Metro, with a Rs 11,368 crore budget, will connect Tirumangalam and Othakkadai, featuring 17 stations. Notable stations will include Madurai Junction, Thirumangalam Metro, and Simmakal.
Meanwhile, CMRL is also involved in the first interstate Metro project in South India, linking Hosur to Bommasandra. This 23 km line will pass through both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with 12 stations and a depot planned along the route. The detailed feasibility report for this project is almost complete, and once finalised, the State government will submit it to the Union government for approval.
However, plans for the 38-km Salem Metro and 45-km Tiruchy Metro have been temporarily delayed. CMRL’s study has indicated that the Tirunelveli project is currently not feasible.
