# Coimbatore Metro

Coimbatore Metro, also known as Kovai Metro, is a proposed rapid transit system for Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

## History

The Indian Government proposed a metro rail system for 16 tier-2 cities in India including Coimbatore in 2010. However, in 2011, the Tamil Nadu Government opted for a monorail, shelving the metro project.
The Coimbatore Railway Struggle Committee has since protested in favor of implementing a metro railway system in Coimbatore. In 2013, transport expert E. Sreedharan conducted a survey in Coimbatore, concluding that a metro rail system would be suitable for the city. In January 2017, an official from the Coimbatore District Administration informed The Hindu that no mass rapid transit project was currently under consideration for Coimbatore.
In the same year, the state government revived the metro proposal, and the then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu announced that the national government was prepared to support and fund the project, contingent on state approval, but work never began.
Officials later announced a metro rail plan for Coimbatore, with a feasibility study to be conducted by Chennai Metro Rail Limited. Funding was to be sourced from the German-based KFW company.
The rail company subsequently issued a tender notice for the preparation of the feasibility report. The project gained support in 2024–25, with Chennai Metro Rail Limited submitting more paperwork along with Comprehensive Mobility Plan to the Union government.

## Project timeline

The Coimbatore Metro Rail Project was first proposed in 2011 but faced delays and revisions before gaining momentum in 2017. After feasibility studies and approvals, the Tamil Nadu government allocated ₹9,000 crores in 2023, with preliminary work set to begin in early 2025.

## Corridors
### Proposed Corridors

Proposed Metro Rail Routes in Coimbatore Based on CMP and Feasibility study
Coimbatore Metro :
| Corridor No | Line | From | To | Roads | Via | Length (km) |
| 1 | Red Line | Ukkadam Bus Terminus | Karumathampatti | Avinashi Road | Coimbatore Junction, Peelamedu, Coimbatore International Airport | 29 |
| 2 | Green Line | Coimbatore Junction | Valiyampalayam Pirivu | Sathy Road, Siruvani Road | Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus, Ganapathy Pudur, Saravanampatti | 44 |
| 3 | Yellow Line | Ukkadam Bus Terminus | Bilichi | Mettupalayam Road | Saibaba Colony Bus Terminus, Thudiyalur | 24 |
| 4 | Blue Line | Karanampettai | Thaneerpandal | Trichy Road, Thadagam Road | Singanallur Bus Terminus, Ukkadam Bus Terminus | 42 |
| 5 | Pink Line | Ukkadam Bus Terminus | Coimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus | Chettipalayam Road | Podanur Junction | 8 |
| Total | | | | | | 147 |

### Phase-I Corridors

Proposed Metro Rail Routes in Coimbatore Metro Phase-I stage
Coimbatore Metro :
| Corridor No | Line | From | To | Total Distance (km) | No.of Stations | Status |
| 1 | Red Line | Ukkadam Bus Terminus | Neelambur | 20.4 | 18 | DPR Submitted |
| 2 | Green Line | Coimbatore Junction | Valiyampalayam Pirivu | 14.4 | 14 | DPR Submitted |
Route Map
Legend :
Phase-II Stage Proposed Metro Rail Routes in Coimbatore Metro Phase-II stage
Coimbatore Metro :
| Corridor No | Line | From | To | Total Distance (km) | No.of Stations | Status |
| 3 | Yellow Line | Ukkadam Bus Terminus | Bilichi | 24 | NA | Under planning stage |
| 4 | Blue Line | Karanampettai | Thaneerpandal | 42 | NA | Under planning stage |

## Planning
### Phase 1

The phase 1 of "Coimbatore Metro" has planned to implement two corridors from Coimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus to Neelambur and from District Collector Office to Valiyampalayam Pirivu, covering 44 kilometers at a cost of ₹9,424 crore. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) suggested a Metrolite model but the officials said that the decision to make it a Metrolite or to retain as a metro rests with the state government. The Phase 1 focus to implement Corridor 5 (pink line) from Coimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus and Ukkadam Bus Terminus completely and the partial completion of Corridor 1 (red line) from Ukkadam Bus Terminus to Neelambur and the Corridor 4 (green line) from Ukkadam Bus Terminus to Valiyampalayam Pirivu. With 40 stations planned, the Phase 1 will cover major transportation hubs in the city such as Coimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus, Coimbatore International Airport, Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus, Coimbatore Junction, Ukkadam Bus Terminus and Podanur Junction. It will also connect major commercial hubs such as Townhall, Ukkadam and Gandhipuram.

### Phase 2 and Phase 3

The remaining parts of Corridors 1 and 4 and the complete portion of Corridors 2 and 3 is planned to be completed in Phases 2 and 3.