Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has placed metro projects in Coimbatore and Madurai at the top of its agenda for tier-two cities in Tamil Nadu, while plans for Tiruchy and Salem have been temporarily deferred. According to a senior official, CMRL has submitted the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for Coimbatore and Madurai to the Union government. These proposals are now moving through approval channels, including the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs. Following technical clearance from the Public Investment Board (PIB), the projects will head to the Union Cabinet for final approval.
The Coimbatore Metro project, estimated at Rs 107.4 billion, will feature a 39-km network with two lines and 32 stations, connecting key locations such as Coimbatore Junction, Gandhipuram Bus Stand, and Coimbatore Airport. The Madurai Metro project, at an estimated cost of Rs 113.68 billion, will span 25 km, linking 17 stations, including Madurai Junction and Thirumangalam.
Additionally, the Hosur to Bommasandra metro line, South India’s first interstate metro project, is progressing, with CMRL and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) collaborating on a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for the 23-km route, which will include 12 stations.
In contrast, the future of the 38-km Salem Metro and 45-km Tiruchy Metro remains uncertain, as they have been deprioritised. A feasibility study for the Tirunelveli Metro project has also deemed it nonviable at this stage.
