Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has prioritized metro projects for Coimbatore and Madurai, placing them at the forefront among tier-two cities in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, plans for Tiruchy and Salem have been temporarily sidelined, according to a senior official.

CMRL has already submitted the Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for both cities to the Union government. These reports are now moving through the necessary approval channels, with the Tamil Nadu government forwarding the proposals to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Department of Economic Affairs. After receiving technical approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB), the projects will be presented to the Union Cabinet for final clearance.

The Coimbatore Metro project, estimated at Rs 107.4 billion, will stretch across 39 km, featuring two lines with 32 stations, including key locations like Coimbatore Junction, Gandhipuram Bus Stand, and Coimbatore Airport. The Madurai Metro project, which carries an estimated cost of Rs 113.68 biillion, will cover 17 stations along a 25-km route, connecting vital hubs like Madurai Junction and Thirumangalam.

Additionally, the Hosur to Bommasandra metro line, which will be the first interstate metro in South India, is also progressing. A feasibility study is nearing completion, with CMRL working alongside Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) on the detailed feasibility report (DFR). The 23-km line will span both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, with 12 stations planned.

However, the future of the 38-km Salem Metro and 45-km Tiruchy Metro is uncertain, as they are currently on hold due to shifting priorities. A feasibility study for the Tirunelveli project has also concluded that it is not viable at this time.