The Tamil Nadu government has accorded in-principle approval for both corridors and recommended them to the Government of India for approval.
The Tamil Nadu government has undertaken detailed feasibility studies for Mass Rapid Transit Systems in Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and Tirunelveli in view of rising traffic congestion and travel demand.Tirunelveli did not qualify for implementation of a suitable MRTS, while the Detailed Feasibility Report for Salem is under consideration. For Tiruchirappalli, further action has been deferred due to the substantial committed liabilities associated with the ongoing Chennai Metro Phase-II project, according to the Special Initiatives Department Policy Note 2026-27 tabled in the Assembly on Friday.For Coimbatore and Madurai, CMRL submitted DPRs and the proposals were recommended to the Centre for funding under a 50:50 equity-sharing arrangement. However, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recently returned the proposals, stating that it had no objection to implementing an at-grade or elevated Bus Rapid Transit System in the two cities, the policy note said.Phase-II extensionsCMRL has submitted Detailed Project Reports for extending Corridor-4 from Poonamallee Bypass to Sunguvarchatram via Sriperumbudur and for providing connectivity from Koyambedu to Pattabiram up to the Outer Ring Road via Ambattur and Avadi.The Tamil Nadu government has accorded in-principle approval for both corridors and recommended them to the Government of India for approval. The proposals are currently under consideration by the Centre, the policy note said.Airport-Kilambakkam extensionOn the proposed extension of Chennai Metro from Chennai Airport to the Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam, the policy note said the Detailed Project Report had to be revised after the Highways Department proposed an elevated road along the same corridor.CMRL subsequently submitted a revised DPR, which was approved by the State government and forwarded to the Centre for approval, funding and external financial assistance. Approval from the Government of India is awaited, it said.Published on August 28, 2026
