Union Govt Returns Metro Rail Proposals for Coimbatore and Madurai

21 Nov 2025 CW Team

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.

Real Estate

11 May 2026

Danube Launches Greenz Villa Community in Dubai

Danube Properties has launched Greenz by Danube, a fully furnished master villa community in Dubai, unveiled by H.E. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, at an event attended by over 7,000 investors and business leaders.Located near Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Silicon Oasis, the development marks Danube’s first large-scale integrated villa community and is positioned within one of Dubai’s emerging residential corridors.The project will comprise three and four-bedroom townhouses along with five-bedroom semi-detached and twin villas...

ABB Launches IE6 Motor for Hazardous Industrial Areas

ABB has introduced what it claims is the world’s first IE6 Hyper-Efficiency motor certified for hazardous industrial environments under ATEX and IECEx standards.The new Increased Safety motor is based on ABB’s synchronous reluctance (SynRM) technology and is designed without magnets or rare earth materials. According to the company, the motor reduces energy losses by up to 60 per cent compared to standard IE3 induction motors commonly used in hazardous areas.The motor is intended for use in industries such as chemicals, marine, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage, where expl..

Casagrand Launches 41-Acre Highcity Project in Chennai

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Highcity, a 41-acre integrated residential development on Chennai’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), marking the company’s largest residential project to date.The project will comprise over 4,000 two and three BHK apartments across four G+22 towers and is positioned as one of the largest organised residential developments in the ORR corridor.Located along Chennai’s emerging residential and infrastructure growth belt, the project benefits from connectivity to IT hubs including Navalur, Siruseri SIPCOT and Porur, as well as industrial clusters such as Sriperumbudur, ..