Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Condemns Central Government's Decision
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has launched a strong criticism against the Union government, labeling its approach as 'disgraceful' for rejecting detailed project reports for metro rail systems in Coimbatore and Madurai. The sharp remarks come just ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the state, adding political significance to the development.
Centre Returns Metro Project Reports Citing Population Concerns
The Union government has officially returned the detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted for constructing comprehensive metro networks in both Coimbatore and Madurai. According to sources, the central authorities have cited lack of adequate population in both cities as the primary reason for rejecting the proposed metro systems.
The decision has sparked significant controversy in Tamil Nadu's political circles, with the state government expressing deep disappointment. Chief Minister Stalin emphasized that the rejection demonstrates the Centre's apparent disregard for the development needs of Tamil Nadu's major urban centers beyond Chennai.
Timing Adds Political Dimension to Infrastructure Dispute
The timing of this rejection, occurring just before Prime Minister Modi's visit to Tamil Nadu, has added considerable political weight to the infrastructure dispute. Political observers note that the metro project rejection could become a significant point of contention during the Prime Minister's engagements in the state.
The detailed project reports for both cities represented comprehensive plans for modern urban transportation infrastructure aimed at addressing growing traffic congestion and supporting economic development in these important regional hubs.
This development marks another chapter in the ongoing tensions between the Tamil Nadu state government and the Centre regarding infrastructure funding and project approvals. The state government has consistently advocated for greater investment in public transportation systems across Tamil Nadu's major cities.
The rejection raises questions about the future of urban transportation planning in Tamil Nadu's tier-2 cities and whether alternative solutions will be proposed to address the mounting transportation challenges in Coimbatore and Madurai.
