DongXqz408 at 19:23, 3 April 2026

2026-04-03T19:23:27Z

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{{Short description|Rapid transit system proposed for Madurai, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox public transit
| name = Madurai Metro
| locale = [[Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| transit_type = Mass Rapid Transit
| began_operation = Proposed
| chief_executive = [[Chennai Metro Rail Limited]]
| headquarters = [[Madurai metropolitan area]]
| lines = 3
| line_number = '''''Phase-1''''' * [[Line 1 (Madurai Metro)]] '''''Phase-2''''' * [[Line 2 (Madurai Metro)]] * [[Line 3 (Madurai Metro)]]
| stations =
| website =
| ridership =
| train_length = 3 coaches
| headway =
| vehicles =
| track_gauge =
| system_length =
| average_speed =
| top_speed = {{convert|60|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}
| minimum_radius_of_curvature =
| el =
| operator = CMRL
| owner = TNMRC
| map =
| area served = Madurai
| operation_will_start = Proposed(under review)
}}
{{Madurai Metro route diagram}}
'''Madurai Metro''', is a proposed [[Rapid transit|rapid transit system]] for [[Madurai metropolitan area|Madurai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2023-03-20 |title=TN Budget: Metro rail projects for Coimbatore and Madurai |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tn-budget-metro-rail-projects-coimbatore-and-madurai-174811 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>

{{As of|March 2023}}, the DPR preparation contract was awarded to Aarvee Associates.<ref>{{cite news |title=Firm picked to prepare Madurai metro DPR|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/firm-picked-to-prepare-madurai-metro-dpr/articleshow/99021967.cms |access-date=8 May 2024 |publisher=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 March 2023}}</ref> It was ready by July 2023, with construction work planned to commence by end of 2024. In December 2024, the DPR for the Madurai Metro was submitted to the Central Government for approval. In February 2025, Officials indicated that the project could receive central government approval within 6 to 9 months and that groundwork for land acquisition and utility shifting would begin soon. In September 2025, an RTI revealed that the Central Government was still reviewing the DPR, leading to public concern over the delays. Additionally, reports emerged of a planning hurdle with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding alignment clashes in the Thirumangalam area. As of November 18, 2025, the Union government has rejected the proposed Metro Rail projects for Madurai and Coimbatore, citing that both cities do not meet the population criteria of 2 million (20 lakh) as per the 2011 census. However, the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has stated that this is a temporary rejection and the project is not cancelled, clarifying that the proposals are still under consideration. CMRL also mentioned that they would provide a detailed explanation to the central government about the current population and that the project will continue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Madurai Metro Rail: 27 Stations Planned for the Project, DPR to be Submitted by 15 July|url=https://www.metrorailnews.in/madurai-metro-rail-27-stations-planned-for-the-project-dpr-to-be-submitted-by-15-july/ |access-date=8 May 2024 |publisher= Metro Rail News |date=29 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sampath |first=Nirupa |date=2024-11-25 |title=CMRL puts Madurai and Coimbatore Metro plans on fast track |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/tamilnadu/cmrl-puts-madurai-and-coimbatore-metro-plans-on-fast-track-812435 |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=www.dtnext.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chennai Metro Focuses on Coimbatore and Madurai, Delays Salem and Tiruchy Projects |url=https://www.news18.com/auto/chennai-metro-focuses-on-coimbatore-and-madurai-delays-salem-and-tiruchy-projects-9133204.html |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
===Background===
As the monorail market is estimated to be ₹72,000 [[crore]] (US$10 billion) in India, the then [[Governor of Tamil Nadu]], Banwarilal Purohit announced in [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Legislative assembly]] that the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] had decided to do a feasibility study for introducing monorail system in [[Madurai]]<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shrikumar|first=A.|date=2020-01-22|title=Waiting for metro: stakeholders pitch points|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/waiting-for-metro-stakeholders-pitch-points/article30619211.ece|access-date=2020-11-30|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|agency=TNN|date=5 Jan 2020|title=Will push for metro rail, bus port in Madurai: Revenue min {{!}} Madurai News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/will-push-for-metro-rail-bus-port-in-madurai-revenue-min/articleshow/73103695.cms|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mallady|first=Shastry V.|date=2020-02-14|title=Why no Metro Rail for our Madurai? asks TN Chamber|url=http://www.lotustimes.org/2020/02/14/why-no-metro-rail-for-our-madurai-asks-tn-chamber/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Lotus Times {{!}} Madurai {{!}} Tamilnadu {{!}} Lotus Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=மதுரையில் மெட்ரோ ரயில் திட்டம்..? மத்திய அமைச்சரின் அதிரடி பதில்..!|url=https://tamil.asianetnews.com/tamilnadu-madurai/virudhunagar-mp-raised-questioned-about-madurai-metro-rail-project-q1rz77|access-date=2020-11-30|website=Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd|language=ta}}</ref> along with [[Salem metro|Salem]], [[Tiruchirappalli Monorail|Thiruchirappalli]],<ref name="Archive News">{{Cite web|title=Archive News|url=https://www.thehindu.com/archive/|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Hindu|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Narasimhan|first=T. E.|date=2010-01-25|title=Scomi eyes partners for monorail projects|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/scomi-eyes-partners-for-monorail-projects-110012500006_1.html|access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=மதுரையில் போக்குவரத்து நெரிசலை தவிர்க்க மெட்ரோ ரயில் திட்டம்|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=563458|access-date=2020-11-30|website=www.dinakaran.com|language=en|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202074209/https://www.dinakaran.com/News_Detail.asp?Nid=563458|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Tirunelveli]].

In 2020, the government has earmarked a sum of about ₹60,000 crore (US$8.4 billion) for [[Rapid transit|metro]] and [[monorail]] projects in Tamil Nadu.<ref name="archive.asianage.com">{{Cite web|last1=Dc|last2=Chennai|title=Jayalalithaa plans perfect future for Tamil Nadu|url=http://archive.asianage.com/chennai/jayalalithaa-plans-perfect-future-tamil-nadu-361|access-date=2020-11-30|website=The Asian Age|language=en|archive-date=22 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222220434/http://archive.asianage.com/chennai/jayalalithaa-plans-perfect-future-tamil-nadu-361|url-status=dead}}</ref> At that time [[SASTRA]], using [[Geographical information system|Geographical Information System]] (GIS) tools, had worked out a proposal for a suburban railway route for Madurai City.

Madurai proposed routes for monorail were:
# [[Tirumangalam, Madurai|Tirumangalam]] – [[Mattuthavani]] - via. [[Kappalur]], [[Thirunagar]], [[Thiruparankundram]], [[Palanganatham]], TN polytechnic, Madurai Railway station, [[Simmakkal, Madurai|Simmakkal]], [[Goripalayam, Madurai|Goripalayam]], [[Tallakulam (Madurai)|Tallakulam]], Madurai Dist court.
# Thiruparankundrum – Park Town - via. Thiruparankundrum Temple, Airport, SN College, [[Avaniapuram]], [[Villapuram]], [[South Gate, Madurai|South Gate]], [[Keelavasal, Madurai|Keelavasal]], [[Nelpettai]], Goripalayam, Narimedu, Incometax office, Krishnapuram colony, Viswanathapuram, P & T Nagar.
# Kochadai – Viraganur - via. [[Kalavasal]], [[Arappalayam]], [[Ellis Nagar]], [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Railway station]], Vilakuthoon, Keelavasal, Munichalai, Teppakulam.
# [[Vandiyur]] – Iyer Bungalow - via. Anna Nagar, Suguna stores, Aravind Eye Hospital, K. K. Nagar, Anna Bus stand, GH, Goripalayam, Reserve Line, [[K. Pudur]]
# [[Anuppanadi]] - [[Koodal Nagar, Madurai|Koodal Nagar]] - Via Teppakulam, Anna nagar, Apollo Hospitals, Mattuthavani, Surveyor Colony, Mahatma Gandhi Nagar, [[Anaiyur, Madurai|Anaiyur]]
# Tirumangalam to [[Melur]] - Tirumangalam, Kappalur, Thoppur, Tirunagar, Vadapalanji, [[Madurai Kamaraj University]], [[Nagamalai]], Nagari, [[Samayanallur]], [[Vilangudi, Madurai|Vilangudi]], Koodal nagar, [[Arappalayam Bus Terminus]], Simmakal, Madurai railway Jn, [[Periyar Bus Terminus]], [[Jaihindpuram]], Villapuram, Mahal, Teppakulam, Anna nagar, Vandiyur, Pondy koil, Mattuthavani, High Court, TVS Srichakra, Melur.
# Azhagar-koil to Avaniapuram - Azhagarkoil, Moondru Mavadi, K.Pudur, KK Nagar, G.H., Goripalayam, [[Sellur (Madurai)|Sellur]], Koodal nagar, Arapalayam BS, P.P. chavadi (in Theni main rd), Bye pass rd (Ponmeni), [[Vasantha Nagar, Madurai|Vasantha Nagar]] roundana, T V S Nagar, Pykara, Thirupprankundram, [[Nilaiyur]], Airport, Mandela nagar, Transport Nagar (along ring road), Avaniapuram.

Transfer Points were: Avaniyapuram, Goripalayam, Madurai Railway station, Periyar Bus stand, Keelavasal, Anna Nagar, Teppakulam, Mattuthavani, Tiruparankundrum<ref name="Archive News"/><ref name="archive.asianage.com"/>

The [[Government of Tamilnadu]] proposed for a [[Rapid transit|Metro Rail]] in [[Madurai]], the third largest city in the state of [[Tamilnadu]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Metro rail plan for Madurai, a great move|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/metro-rail-plan-for-madurai-a-great-move/article35899842.ece}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=CMRL to do a feasibility study for building mass rapid transit in three cities|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/cmrl-to-do-a-feasibility-study-for-building-mass-rapid-transit-in-three-cities/article65245817.ece}}</ref> CMRL releases tender notice for preparing the project's [[feasibility report]] in March, 2022 and BARSYL bags the tender to prepare feasibility study with the deadline of May, 2022<ref>{{cite news|title=BARSYL bags the tender to prepare feasibility study for MRTS in Madurai|url=https://urbantransportnews.com/news/barsyl-wins-feasibility-study-contract-for-madurai-metro-rail-project}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Metro feasibility report to be ready by May|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/cmrl-metro-feasibility-report-to-be-ready-by-may/articleshow/90753746.cms}}</ref>

==Project timeline==
*'''2012:''' The Indian government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announces metro rail projects for Tier-II cities, including Madurai.
*'''2012''': [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu Government]] under [[J. Jayalalithaa]] shelves the metro rail project and announces monorail project for Tier II cities such as [[Madurai]], [[Tiruchirappalli Monorail|Tiruchirappalli]], [[Tirunelveli]] and [[Salem Metro|Salem]]<ref name="archive.asianage.com"/>
*'''2021''': [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu Government]] under [[M. K. Stalin]] announces metro rail projects for Tier II cities such as [[Madurai]] and [[Coimbatore]].<ref name=":0" />
*'''2022:''' BARSYL bags the tender to prepare feasibility study for the mass rapid transportation system in Madurai<ref>{{cite news|title=Feasibility study for Madurai MRTS to start soon|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/feasibility-study-for-madurai-mrts-to-start-soon/article65214497.ece}}</ref>
*'''2022 November:''' Madurai metro rail will cover 29 km with 17 stations in phase 1 stated by the DFR prepared by Balaji Rail Road Systems (BARSYL) and the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sampath |first=Nirupa |title=Madurai metro rail will cover 29km with 17 stations in phase 1 |url=https://www.dtnext.in/tamilnadu/2022/11/13/madurai-metro-rail-will-cover-29km-with-17-stations-in-phase-1 |access-date=2022-11-13 |website=DT next |language=en}}</ref>
*'''2022 December:''' Detailed Project Report (DPR) was awaited for Madurai Metro
*'''2023 March:''' Aarvee Associates bags the tender to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for 1.35 crores.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-27 |title=Firm picked to prepare Madurai metro DPR |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/firm-picked-to-prepare-madurai-metro-dpr/articleshow/99021967.cms |access-date=2023-03-27 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
*'''2024 December :''' The DPR for the Madurai Metro was formally submitted to the Central Government for approval.
*'''2025 January ''': CMRL announced that preparatory work, including land acquisition and utility shifting, would begin soon, anticipating approval within the year.
*'''2025 February ''': Officials indicated that the project could receive central government approval within 6 to 9 months and that groundwork for land acquisition and utility shifting would begin soon.
*'''2025 September ''': A Right to Information (RTI) query revealed that the Central Government had not yet approved the DPR. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs stated that the project was still under "preliminary examination". A clash was reported between the metro's proposed alignment and the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) plan for vehicular underpasses at the Sipcot and Thoppur junctions. Joint inspections were conducted to resolve this conflict.
*'''2025 November''' : The Union Government of India returned the metro proposals for Madurai and Coimbatore, citing the population of both cities as less than 20 lakh. However, the Tamil Nadu government raised concerns about what it called an “uneven application” of the centre's Metro Rail Policy, pointing out that cities such as Agra, Patna, and Bhopal despite having populations below this threshold, had been approved for metro projects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-18 |title=Why Madurai and Coimbatore didn't get Centre's Metro approval — and how smaller cities did |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/tamilnadu-metro-policy-madurai-coimbatore-centre-rejection-qw0p0b2t |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>

==Proposed corridors==
===Phase I===
'''Proposed Metro Rail Routes in Madurai at Phase-1 stage'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Tender floated to prepare detailed project report for Madurai metro|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/tender-floated-to-prepare-detailed-project-report-for-madurai-metro/articleshow/98055373.cms|access-date=2023-04-15}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="8" |Madurai Metro
|-
! Corridor No
! Line
! From
! To
! Roads
! Via
! Length (km)
! Number of Stations
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|1
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Line 1 (Madurai Metro)|Line-1]]
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Tirumangalam, Madurai|Tirumangalam]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Othakadai
| style="text-align:center;"|Tiruparankundram Road, Mattuthavani High Road
| style="text-align:center;"|[[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai|AIIMS]], [[Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram|Thiruparankundram]], [[Periyar Bus Terminus]], [[Mattuthavani Bus Stand, Madurai|MGR Bus Terminus]], [[Meenakshi Temple]], [[Madras High Court|Madras High Court- Madurai Bench]]
| style="text-align:center;"|31
| style="text-align:center;"|22
|}

===Phase II===
'''Proposed Metro Rail Routes in Madurai at Phase-II stage'''<ref>{{cite news|title=Madurai metro to link airport in phase II; 5 km to be underground|url=https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/urban-transportation/madurai-metro-to-link-airport-in-phase-ii-5-km-to-be-underground/99324441|access-date=2023-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. N. M. |date=2023-02-20 |title=Madurai metro: CMRL submits feasibility report, three things to know |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/madurai-metro-cmrl-submits-feasibility-report-three-things-know-173518 |access-date=2024-03-29 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="7" |Madurai Metro
|-
! Corridor No
! Line
! From
! To
!Via
!Length (km)
!Number of Stations
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|2
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Line 2 (Madurai Metro)|Line-2]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Kattapuli Nagar
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Madurai Airport|Madurai International Airport]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Samayanallur, Paravai, Fatima College, [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Junction]], [[Mattuthavani Bus Stand, Madurai|MGR Bus Terminus]], [[Meenakshi Temple]], Perungudi
| style="text-align:center;"|20
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|3
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Line 3 (Madurai Metro)|Line-3]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Manalur
| style="text-align:center;"|Chekanurani
| style="text-align:center;"|Velammal College, Keelavasal, [[Madurai Junction railway station|Madurai Junction]], [[Mattuthavani Bus Stand, Madurai|MGR Bus Terminus]], [[Meenakshi Temple]], Kalavasal, Nagamalai Pudukkottai
| style="text-align:center;"|23
| style="text-align:center;"|19
|}

== See also ==
*[[Chennai Metro]]
*[[Coimbatore Metro]]
*[[Kochi Metro]]
*[[List of Madurai metro stations]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Madurai Metro|all=yes}}
{{Rapid transit in India}}
{{Railways in Southern India}}
{{Transport in Tamil Nadu}}
{{coord missing|Tamil Nadu}}

[[Category:Transport in Madurai]]
[[Category:Standard-gauge railways in India]]
[[Category:Proposed rapid transit in India]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Tamil Nadu]]

Madurai Metro - Revision history

DongXqz408 at 19:23, 3 April 2026