Stalin writes to PM Modi expressing anguish over Centre’s rejection of Coimbatore, Madurai Metrorail projects

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, November 22, 2025, expressing his disappointment and pain over the rejection of proposals for Metro Rail systems in Coimbatore and Madurai and urged him to direct the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) to reconsider the decision.

“Tamil Nadu, the most urbanized state in the country with high per capita private vehicle ownership, needs high-capacity public transport alternatives in all its major cities, which are the drivers of growth. For this, we have prepared DPRs for Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rails and forwarded them to MoHUA for approval,” Mr. Stalin said in his letter.

“Given the high priority given to these two projects, we were constantly following up with the relevant Ministry. In this context, we were completely surprised by the rejection of this request. Compared to similar projects approved in other States, it has created deep resentment among the people of the two cities to be denied their deserved needs,” Mr. Stalin said.

‘The two million population criterion was applied selectively’

According to him, the reasons given in the letter from MoHUA are not appropriate and the population criterion of two million, as in the 2017 Metro Rail Policy, was cited as one of the main reasons for rejection. “I would like to emphasize that the population of Coimbatore LPA region exceeded 2 million in 2011 and in the case of Madurai too, the expected population is now likely to exceed this figure. It is pertinent to note at this juncture that if this 2 million criterion had been applied uniformly, many Metros in Tier-II cities such as Agra, Indore and Patna might not have been implemented,” the Prime Minister said.

“Selective application of this criterion to our proposal has created an impression of discrimination against our cities and the Union government needs to eliminate this by treating our cities at par with the above-mentioned cities. Also, the adequacy of ridership for the project in Coimbatore city was arrived at by comparing it with the ridership in Chennai. This is not appropriate as ridership depends on multiple factors. Both the cities have different commuting patterns than Chennai,” Mr. Stalin said.

The Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Coimbatore prepared by RITES after detailed traffic studies had clearly envisaged the need for MRTS in the proposed sectors. The CMP had also proposed a metrobus for Madurai in 2011, but it was clearly stated that since most of the route length would need to be increased, the rail system could also be considered. Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that DPR studies provide subsequent independent assessments of traffic projections that justify the need for Metro Rail corridors.

He said these factors were not adequately taken into account. Regarding the availability of right of way, it is well known that Metro Rail projects necessitate private land acquisition in most cities of India.

“We are fully aware of the need to balance the social costs arising from land acquisition with the long-term socio-economic benefits of Metro Rail projects. We are offering compensation that meets the expectations of landowners in our current project and will ensure that land availability will not be a hurdle for proposed projects in the cities of Coimbatore and Madurai,” he said.

“I have recommended the Special Initiatives Department to provide detailed justifications on the issues raised by MoHUA. I request you to instruct MoHUA to review its decision to return the bids in the light of the above points. If necessary, I am ready to meet you in New Delhi along with my team to explain the issues in detail. Since these two projects embody the aspirations of the industrial and cultural hubs of Tamil Nadu, I look forward to your personal intervention in this matter,” he said.