The Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has clarified that work on the proposed Metro Rail projects in Coimbatore and Madurai continues and has not been halted, despite widespread reports claiming otherwise.

The company’s Managing Director Siddique made this clear while speaking to reporters, assuring that preparatory efforts are underway and that the projects remain active.

CMRL officials noted that initial land acquisition work has been completed in parts, and a detailed project report (DPR) has been revised and resubmitted to the Central Government for approval. The projects aim to bring modern rapid transit systems to Tamil Nadu’s major cities beyond Chennai, but clearance from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been pending amid discussions on population criteria and policy requirements.

The clarification came after state government statements indicated that the Central Government had rejected earlier project reports.