The Centre has rejected the Coimbatore Metro proposal for the second time in July 2026 - citing a population rule based on the 15-year-old 2011 census data. Sign to demand the metro rail network Kovai deserves!

For those who are interested in reading more , here goes.

Why Coimbatore got denied?

The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) requires a city to have a core population of 20 Lakh to qualify for heavy metro — and insists on using 2011 Census figures until the delayed new census is complete. That count only measures the Coimbatore corporation boundary (15.84 Lakh), ignoring the broader Urban Area which was already 21.37 Lakh back in 2011 . In 2026, the real number is far higher.

Rejected in 2011, revived in 2017, rejected again in November 2025, and rejected a second time on July 22, 2026 — each time on the same outdated basis. The Centre's suggested alternative, a Bus Rapid Transit System, would need dedicated surface lanes on roads that are already too narrow — making traffic worse, not better.

The Double Standard

If the 20-Lakh Corporation rule  is a deal breaker, why did these Tier-II cities get approval and funding with similar population figures? And all after the 2017 Metro Rail policy which suggested the population rule.

             Agra (Corporation): ~15.8 Lakh → Approved 2019, operational 2024
             Patna (Corporation): 16.84 Lakh → Approved 2019, operational 2025
             Bhopal (Corporation): 17.98 Lakh → Approved 2018, operational 2025
             Indore (Corporation): 19.64 Lakh → Approved 2018, operational 2025

Coimbatore's economic footprint, tax revenue, and traffic density outstrip several cities that already have metros. The Centre's own justifications — 8-minute time-saving not enough, ridership doubts — don't hold up against ground reality.

Why Coimbatore Has Earned This Metro

Coimbatore — the "Manchester of South India" — houses over 25,000 MSMEs producing 35% of India's auto components and 11% of its pumps and motors. It's Tamil Nadu's second-largest economic contributor after Chennai, with 150+ higher education institutions and major IT hubs feeding a daily commuter crunch that chokes arterial roads like Avinashi and Trichy Roads.This in addition to the people coming in from adjacent cities like Tirupur, Erode etc

The blocked 39 km Phase 1 network — the Red Line (Vellalore to Ukkadam via the railway junction, Peelamedu, and the airport) and Green Line (Collectorate to Valliampalayam via Gandhipuram and Saravanampatti) — was mapped precisely to relieve these choke points.

Our Demands to MoHUA:

1. Policy Waiver: Apply the same flexible appraisal standards to Coimbatore that were used for Agra, Patna, and Bhopal.
2. Use the real Population footprint : If using the 2011 census , assess viability using the true 21.37 Lakh urban Area footprint ,not the corporation borders alone 
3. Approve the 50:50 Equity Model: Release central funding to match the state's investment and let construction begin.

Four similar cities are already riding metros. Coimbatore is still waiting for a census.

👉 Please sign this petition, share it with all your friends, and demand the infrastructure Coimbatore taxes already pay for!