Industrialists raise voice for metro rail transit system in Madurai

Madurai, India (Urban Transport News): The industrialists and members of the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TNCCI) has requested the Tamilnadu State government to urge the Central government to introduce a metro rail system in Madurai.

They said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that metro rail services will be extended to 25 more cities across the country by 2025.

In the press statement issued by TNCCI, two routes of metro rail suggested for Madurai city. "In Madurai, the introduction of metro rail services for two routes will be beneficial for the residents- from Melur, via Agricultural college, Madurai bench of Madras High Court, Velammal Hospital, Madurai airport, AIIMS at Thoppur, and end at Thirumangalam. The second route will start from Thiruppuvanam, via Silaiman, Pandi Koil intersection, Velammal hospital, Madurai airport, AIIMS at Thoppur, proposed new bus port at Karadikal, Madurai Kamaraj University, IT Park and end at Chekkanurani. Hence, the State government must take steps to introduce metro rail services in Madurai," said the press statement.

Madurai has currently a population of more than 25 lakhs and it is the second-largest populous city of the State. Traffic congestion is one of the major problems that the city faces. None of the steps taken have been effective to address the issue of traffic congestion in the city. While the vehicular movement is increasing in the city, there are insufficient numbers of wide roads and flyovers in the city to handle the traffic flow.

They said that introduction of metro rail services will help to address the present traffic issue. The government has introduced metro rail services for Coimbatore but the non-announcement of metro rail services for Madurai is a great disappointment to the people of Southern Tamil Nadu.

In the new metro rail policy, the Central government had approved an amendment that metro rail services would be introduced if the State governments agree to bear 50% of the total cost and recommend the project for any city with a population of more than 10 lakh.