Tamil Nadu Minister: TVK-led Government to Rework Coimbatore Metro Rail Proposal

Coimbatore, August 13: The Tamil Nadu government, led by the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will rework and resubmit the Coimbatore Metro Rail proposal to the Union government, Minister for Backward Classes V. Sampathkumar said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters in Coimbatore, the Minister stated that the Centre had rejected the proposal submitted by the previous DMK government. “The TVK-led government has initiated discussions as Coimbatore requires a metro rail. A detailed project report will be prepared and submitted to the Centre,” he said.

The Centre had turned down the project last month, citing a comprehensive study that concluded a metro rail was not viable for the city at this stage. The rejection drew criticism from local leaders and civil society groups, who have long demanded better public transport infrastructure for Coimbatore, one of Tamil Nadu’s fastest-growing industrial hubs.

Minister Sampathkumar did not provide a timeline for the submission of the revised proposal but assured that the government is committed to addressing the Centre’s concerns. “We will examine the reasons for the rejection and make necessary adjustments,” he added.

On the expansion of Coimbatore International Airport, the Minister said that 90% of the required land has been acquired. “Issues related to the remaining land will be settled soon. You will see work on this front soon,” he said, without elaborating on specific hurdles.

The airport expansion has been a long-pending demand for the region, aimed at accommodating increasing passenger traffic and enabling international operations. The previous administration had faced delays in land acquisition due to disputes over compensation and encroachments.

Coimbatore, often referred to as the Manchester of South India, has a population of over 1.6 million. Its public transport system currently relies on buses and autos. Proponents of the metro argue that the city’s growing vehicular congestion and industrial activity necessitate a mass rapid transit system. Critics, however, question the financial feasibility and projected ridership, pointing to the high costs of metro construction in smaller cities.

The reworked proposal is expected to take into account the Centre’s observations, possibly including a scaled-down alignment or alternative funding models. Meanwhile, residents and business groups have urged both the state and central governments to expedite the project, noting the city’s economic importance.

The Minister’s remarks come amid a broader push by the TVK-led government, which came to power earlier this year, to revive stalled infrastructure projects across the state. The government has also announced plans to review other pending proposals in the region.