Stalin Seeks PM’s Intervention on Coimbatore, Madurai Metro

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Nov: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure approval of Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai, after the Union Housing Ministry returned the proposals citing discrepancies.

In a letter sent on Saturday, Stalin urged the Centre to reconsider the decision, stating that rejecting the projects based on the 2017 Metro Rail Policy’s 2 million population criteria was unjustified. He argued that Coimbatore’s Local Planning Area had crossed the threshold in 2011, while Madurai is expected to reach it imminently.

The Chief Minister said that applying the rule inconsistently has raised concerns of discrimination against Tamil Nadu. He cited examples of Tier-II cities like Agra, Indore and Patna, where metro projects have progressed despite similar population levels.

He further stressed that these projects represent the aspirations of Tamil Nadu’s key industrial and cultural hubs, and assured that his government would submit additional justification for all queries raised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). Stalin conveyed his willingness to travel to New Delhi with officials to explain the matter personally.

The rejection of the proposals has already sparked strong protests by the ruling DMK in Coimbatore and Madurai, accusing the Union Government of bias.

Responding to the allegations, the BJP claimed the state had submitted an incorrect Detailed Project Report, leading to confusion and delay, and accused the DMK of politicising the issue ahead of elections.