CMRL Deploys Officials to Fast-Track ₹10,740-Crore Coimbatore Metro Project

Induction of two permanent officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) in the city is moving the Coimbatore Metro Rail project forward, one of the most ambitious urban transport projects in the state of Tamil Nadu. Tuesday’s announcement was made by Coimbatore South MP P. Rajkumar, who further stated that the action signifies the commitment of the government to move ahead with a long-pending project.

The project will cost ₹10,740 crore and will cover 2 corridors – Ukkadam to Coimbatore International Airport and Coimbatore Junction to Valiyampalayam Pirivu. Preliminary surveys have already been completed for both stretches. CMRL will now consider detailed reports before going into the next stages.

The metro plan was much more than laying tracks and building stations. In an effort to ease the pressure points on traffic and to improve connectivity, the authorities are mulling a widening of the already extremely congested Sathyamangalam Road, where redevelopment of the Coimbatore Junction is on the anvil with proposals to construct modern passenger facilities and skywalks for better accessibility. Similarly, Podanur and Coimbatore North stations are expected to go through massive modernization that would enable coping with the expected surge in passenger traffic once metro operations commence.
The assent of the Union Government is still required for the project, notwithstanding these arrangements. The approval is necessary to realize financing as well as to finalize work schedules for execution. The metro, once cleared, is expected to revolutionize the increasingly industrial and academic capital of Coimbatore, which has long suffered from bad traffic congestion and below-par public transport.

The introduction of dedicated CMRL staff into Coimbatore is seen as a huge step in breaking bureaucratic blocks. “With permanent officials now in place, we can expect better coordination and faster follow-up on surveys, planning, and clearances,” Rajkumar noted.

If realized as per its timings, the Coimbatore Metro Rail would not only ease the traffic pressure but would also redress the urban infrastructure of the city to compete with other metropolitan centers in the state. For millions of daily commuters, it promises a safer, faster, and more reliable mode of travel.