The Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL) plans to begin acquiring land in March 2025 for its much-anticipated metro rail project in Coimbatore, officials said Tuesday, as published by The Economic Times.
M.A. Siddique, managing director of CMRL, expressed optimism that the Union government would approve metro rail proposals for both Coimbatore and Madurai in the near future.
“We will issue a notification for land acquisition very soon,” Siddique said. “Once we receive the Union government’s approval, we will start the acquisition process and aim to complete the project within three years from its commencement.”
The Coimbatore project’s first phase will feature two corridors. The first corridor will cover 20.4 kilometers from Ukkadam Bus Stand to Neelambur Integrated Station via Coimbatore International Airport. The second corridor will span 14.4 kilometers from Coimbatore Railway Junction to Valiyampalayam Pirivu, bringing the total length to 34.8 kilometers.
CMRL plans to acquire 10 hectares of land for the two corridors, a process that is expected to take between 18 months and two years. The metro rail tracks will primarily be elevated, and Siddique said engineers are working to minimize land acquisition by placing pillars at the edges of service roads wherever feasible.
“On Avinashi Road, for instance, we plan to construct pillars 30 meters apart along the edge of the service road,” Siddique said.
Corridor II will include sections where the metro operates at multiple levels. For example, in Saravanampatti, the metro will run on a higher level above a National Highways flyover.
The Coimbatore metro system will initially feature three-car trains, designed to accommodate more than 700 passengers at a time. This capacity is expected to meet demand for the next 40 to 50 years.
Metro stations will include amenities such as elevators and escalators to ensure accessibility for all commuters.
CMRL is collaborating with local government bodies and railway authorities to integrate the metro with existing public transport systems. The metro is expected to connect major transit hubs, including bus terminals, railway stations, and the airport, to improve commuter convenience.
Siddique also noted that Corridor I may be extended in the future to include the L&T Bypass Road. Over time, the network could expand to cover Mettupalayam Road and Trichy Road as part of a broader vision for citywide connectivity.
The Coimbatore metro project is set to be completed ahead of the proposed Madurai metro system, underscoring CMRL’s commitment to addressing Coimbatore’s urban transit needs.
With land acquisition efforts underway and detailed project reports nearing finalization, CMRL aims to meet its ambitious timelines and enhance mobility in the region.
Contact CMRL for project updates and public notices related to land acquisition.