New Delhi, July 27:
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has reiterated its decision to reject Tamil Nadu’s proposals for Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, stating that the cities do not currently justify the high investment required.
In a communication to the State government following its renewed request in May, the ministry recommended strengthening bus-based public transport instead, suggesting Bus Rapid Transit Systems (BRTS) as a more cost-effective alternative offering comparable benefits.
According to the ministry, the projected reduction in travel time did not warrant the scale of investment. Estimates by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) indicated that Metro services would reduce travel time for an average 7.5-km peak-hour journey by about eight minutes. However, MoHUA noted that this calculation excluded time spent accessing stations, waiting for trains and exiting at destinations, which would significantly reduce actual time savings.
The ministry further observed that Metro systems become more viable for longer journeys of around 15 km or more, while average trip lengths in Coimbatore and Madurai remain considerably shorter.
It also pointed out that Tamil Nadu had acknowledged shortcomings in city bus services, particularly in Coimbatore, and stressed that without robust feeder systems and last-mile connectivity, Metro projects would struggle to attract sufficient ridership.
Clarifying that it was not opposed to modern public transport solutions, MoHUA said it had no objection to implementing at-grade or elevated BRTS in both cities, provided they ensure efficient and affordable mobility. It added that population alone cannot determine Metro feasibility, and that technical, financial and operational parameters must collectively support such projects.
Experts suggested that with the 2027 Census on the horizon, the State and CMRL could revisit the proposals using updated data. If approvals remain elusive, alternative transit solutions like BRTS may need to be prioritised, or new projects deferred for the time being.