The Union government's rejection of metro rail projects proposed for Coimbatore and Madurai has ignited a political firestorm in Tamil Nadu, leading to protests by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and a defense from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The central government communicated its decision to the Tamil Nadu government on November 14, 2025, stating that the proposals could not be approved based on the norms outlined in the 2017 Metro Rail Policy.
According to the policy, a city must have a minimum population of two million to qualify for a mass transit system like a metro rail. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs cited the 2011 census data, which indicated that Coimbatore and Madurai had populations of 1.58 million and 1.5 million, respectively. The ministry emphasized that metro projects are cost-intensive and require careful planning for long-term sustainability. However, the Union government suggested that the state could consider alternative, less expensive options like a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).
The DMK has strongly criticized the decision, with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accusing the BJP-led government of using "flimsy grounds" to deny the projects. Stalin alleged that the rejection was an act of revenge against Tamil Nadu for not supporting the BJP politically. He asserted that his government would work with the people of Madurai and Coimbatore to ensure the metro projects become a reality. The DMK and its allies, including the Congress and Left parties, have organized protests in Coimbatore on November 20 and Madurai on November 21 to condemn the Centre's decision.
The BJP has defended the Centre's decision, citing the Metro Rail Policy and technical deficiencies in the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) submitted by the Tamil Nadu government. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar stated that the policy is designed to ensure that costly infrastructure projects generate maximum benefit for the public. BJP leader K. Annamalai accused the DMK government of deliberately misleading the public and claimed that the DPRs were returned for corrections, not outright rejection. He urged the state government to fix the mistakes and resubmit the documents. Annamalai also pointed out that the Centre has sanctioned significant railway projects worth ₹1.5 lakh crore for Tamil Nadu. According to Khattar, the DPR for Coimbatore revealed inadequate right of way at seven metro station locations.
Interestingly, the BJP's ally in Tamil Nadu, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), has taken a different stance. While not directly criticizing the BJP, the AIADMK has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the implementation of the metro rail projects.
The controversy has escalated into a major political battle between the DMK and BJP in Tamil Nadu. The DMK views the rejection as a betrayal of the state and an attempt to undermine its growth. The BJP, on the other hand, maintains that the decision was based on policy guidelines and technical considerations. The issue is likely to remain a contentious one, especially with upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu.
