The Union Government has returned the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by Tamil Nadu for metro rail systems in Coimbatore and Madurai, stating that neither city meets the eligibility criterion of a two-million population threshold, as per the Metro Rail Policy 2017. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs cited the 2011 census figures: Coimbatore’s municipal corporation recorded around 1.58 million while Madurai’s population was around 1.40 million at that time.

While the state government contends that recent growth warrants reconsideration, sources say the Centre has flagged technical deficiencies in the submissions, including demand forecasts and modal-shift assumptions. Tamil Nadu’s opposition parties have criticised the decision as inconsistent, arguing that metro projects have been sanctioned in other cities with populations below the benchmark.

Officials indicated the DPRs for both cities will need substantial revision and resubmission to regain central consideration.