Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government will implement the Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore and Rs 8,500 crore respectively, with funding from external agencies.
Presenting the Budget for the year 2023-24 on the opening day of the budget session in the State Legislative Assembly here today, Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan said Coimbatore City, known as the Manchester of South India, is one of the fastest growing Tier-II cities in India.
He said it is home to a plethora of economic activities such as textiles, trade, commerce, technology, medical facilities and manufacturing and is an embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit.
“Keeping in view of the future growth potential of the City, the Government has decided to implement the Metro Rail project in Coimbatore city”, the Minister said,.
The Metro Rail project will be implemented along Avinashi Road and Sathyamangalam Road at an estimated cost of Rs.9,000 crore, he added.
Mr Palanivel Thiagarajan said to transform the ever lively and vibrant Madurai as an engine of development for the southern region, the Metro Rail project will be implemented in the city at an estimated cost of Rs.8,500 crore.
Constructed underground through the central parts of the town, the Metro Rail will connect Thirumangalam to Othakadai, he said.
After obtaining approval from Union Government, the Metro Rail projects in these two cities will be implemented with funding from external agencies, he added.
The Minister also said works of Phase-II of the Chennai Metro Rail Project for a length of 119 km in three corridors at a total cost of Rs.63,246 crore are in progress.
The first stretch of elevated corridor from Poonamallee Depot to Kodambakkam Powerhouse section is expected to be ready for commissioning by December 2025.
A sum of Rs.10,000 crore has been allotted towards Chennai Metro Rail Project in this Budget, he added.
