Chennai, Nov 22 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, has voiced significant dissatisfaction regarding the Union government's decision to reject the Metro Rail initiatives for Coimbatore and Madurai. He has indicated his willingness to personally meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to offer detailed explanations.

In his correspondence to the Prime Minister, CM Stalin criticized the reasons provided by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for returning the concept notes of the metro projects, labeling them as “irrelevant and unjustified”.

He contended that the Centre's actions showcased a “discriminatory” viewpoint towards Tamil Nadu's developmental requirements.

CM Stalin emphasized that, according to the 2017 Metro Rail Policy criteria, the Coimbatore Local Planning Area had surpassed the 20-lakh population threshold as per the 2011 Census.

He further mentioned that the anticipated population of Madurai is also set to exceed the necessary limits in the coming years. Hence, he argued that the Centre's assertion that these cities do not satisfy the demographic criteria for metro eligibility was “incorrect”.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns about the “selective application” of population standards. He pointed out that if the 20-lakh criterion were uniformly enforced, metro rail projects in various other Tier-2 cities—such as Agra, Indore, and Patna—would not have received approval from the Union government.

“Applying this criterion solely to Tamil Nadu clearly indicates a biased approach,” CM Stalin wrote.

He assured the Prime Minister that land availability would not obstruct the implementation of metro projects in either Coimbatore or Madurai.

He stated that officials had already been directed to prepare and present detailed clarifications to address all the concerns raised by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry.

CM Stalin urged the Prime Minister to instruct the relevant department to reconsider its decision to return the concept notes.

He highlighted that both cities urgently require modern, sustainable urban transit solutions, given their rapid economic and population growth.

In conclusion, the Chief Minister expressed his readiness to meet the Prime Minister in person in New Delhi, if necessary, to discuss the merits, feasibility, and long-term advantages of the Coimbatore and Madurai Metro Rail projects.

He emphasized that denying essential infrastructure to these fast-growing Tamil Nadu cities would adversely affect their developmental trajectory and reiterated his government's commitment to advancing the metro proposals for the benefit of the populace.